What is autism?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that changes the way a child's brain develops. The main difficulties are in social interaction and communication. It usually begins in early childhood and can make it harder for a child to function comfortably at home, in school and in society.
There is no single test or single sign that confirms autism. Instead, doctors look for a pattern of signs across different areas of a child's behavior and development.
Early signs of autism
According to the American Academy of Neurology, these are red flags that need an assessment:
- No babbling or cooing by 12 months
- No gestures such as pointing, waving or grasping by 12 months
- No single words by 16 months
- No two word phrases of their own (not just repeating) by 24 months
- Loss of any language or social skill at any age
Loss of skills your child already had is always a reason to see a doctor quickly, whatever the age.
Other signs to look for
- Reduced eye contact
- Not responding to their name
- Less sharing of enjoyment with parents or other children
- Delayed speech
- Preferring to play alone
- Repetitive behaviors
- Dislike of certain sounds, tastes, smells or textures
Autism often does not come alone. It can be linked with genetic disorders, motor problems, fits, hyperactivity, anxiety, sleep problems and stomach or bowel issues. A good assessment looks for these too.
What causes autism?
There is no single cause of autism, and research is still ongoing. What we do know is that it is not caused by parenting style. Finding it early and starting support early matters far more than finding a cause.
How is autism diagnosed?
If you are worried, speak to your pediatrician first. They may do a screening test. A popular free screening tool is the M-CHAT-R/F. If the screening shows an area of concern, a formal developmental and behavioral evaluation is needed, done by a trained expert such as a developmental disorders specialist or pediatric neurologist.
Dr. Gajre's evaluation includes a detailed history, observation of the child, and standardized autism scales. Other tests are added when there are clues to an associated condition.
Treatment and therapy
Intervention should begin as early as possible, even while the evaluation for a final diagnosis is still going on. Good intervention is:
- Specific to the core features of autism
- Evidence based and structured
- Tailored to the child's developmental level
Support works best through a team coordinated by a developmental disorders specialist, including clinical psychologists, occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, educators and nutritionists. Some children with behavioral difficulties may need medicines under medical supervision.
Children with autism can improve significantly with intensive training and therapy.
Questions parents often ask
At what age can autism be diagnosed?
Signs of autism can often be noticed between 12 and 24 months. A reliable diagnosis is frequently possible by around 2 years, and therapy can start even before the diagnosis is final.
Can a child with autism talk normally later?
Many children with autism develop useful speech, especially when therapy starts early. Progress differs from child to child, which is why a plan tailored to your child is important.
Is autism caused by screen time or vaccines?
No. Vaccines do not cause autism. Screen time does not cause autism either, but heavy screen use can slow language and social development, so limiting it helps every young child.