Home | Autism 101 | Autism Symptoms

Autism Symptoms

What You Should be on the Lookout for

At Bierman Autism Centers, we’re deeply committed to recognizing the early signs and symptoms of autism and ensuring timely and effective support for every child and their family. Understanding these signs early on is crucial, as it can lead to better outcomes and brighter futures.

Below, let’s examine the key symptoms and indicators of autism spectrum disorder in more detail. If you’re eager to learn more about the importance of early intervention and how it can positively impact your child’s journey, feel free to contact us directly or continue reading.

The Early Signs of Autism: Babies and Toddlers

Early intervention and support can make a world of difference for children with autism.

While symptoms can vary widely from child to child, certain behaviors and developmental milestones may require further evaluation.

Here are some key early autism symptoms in toddlers to be aware of:

Limited Babbling: Delayed or limited babbling by 12 months of age, including challenges in mimicking sounds or engaging in early vocalizations.
Preferential Attention: Limited eye contact during interactions, particularly during social exchanges with parents, family, caregivers, or peers.
Social Withdrawal: Preference for solitary activities over social play, limited interest in sharing experiences or toys with others.
Progressive Speech Development: Absence of meaningful words or phrases by 16 to 24 months or a lack of progress in language skills despite age-appropriate interventions.
Repetitive and Restricted Behaviors: Engaging in repetitive movements or actions, such as hand-flapping, rocking, or lining up objects in a specific order.

Resistance to Changes: Strong preference for routines and difficulties adapting to minor changes in daily activities or environments.
Sensory Sensitivities: Heightened or reduced sensitivity to sensory stimuli, such as reacting strongly to certain textures, sounds, or lights.
Minimal Gestures: Minimal or absent gestures like pointing, waving, or nodding to communicate needs or share experiences.
Limited Engagement in Pretend Play: Challenges in imaginative or pretend play scenarios by 48 months. Preferring repetitive or scripted play patterns over imaginative play.
Intense Focus on Specific Interests: Intense focus on specific objects, topics, or interests to the exclusion of other activities or interactions.

It’s important to note that this is not an exhaustive list of autism symptoms. Recognizing these early signs can prompt proactive steps such as seeking a comprehensive developmental evaluation and personalized therapies and interventions.

If you notice any of these signs or have concerns about your child’s development, it’s essential to consult with your pediatrician, who can refer your child to the appropriate professional for further assessment and guidance tailored to your child’s unique needs.

A Look at the Signs of Autism in Older Children

Recognizing the signs of autism in children is essential for providing age-appropriate support and intervention.

While symptoms can manifest differently with age, certain behaviors and challenges may persist or become more pronounced.

Here’s a closer look at the signs of autism in older children:

Social Challenges: Difficulty understanding social cues, maintaining friendships, or engaging in reciprocal conversations. Older children with autism may struggle with interpreting nonverbal communication and identifying emotions in others and may seem socially isolated or withdrawn.
Communication Difficulties: Challenges in expressive and receptive language skills can persist in older children with autism. They may need help initiating or sustaining conversations, understanding abstract language, or using language flexibly and appropriately for different social contexts.
Repetitive Behaviors: Continued engagement in repetitive movements or actions, such as hand-flapping, rocking, or spinning objects. Older children with autism may also demonstrate rigid adherence to routines or rituals and may become distressed with changes in their environment or schedule.
Intense Interests: Maintaining an intense focus on specific topics, hobbies, or activities to the exclusion of others. These interests may be highly detailed and specific, and children may need help to shift their attention to other tasks or topics.

Sensory Sensitivities: Heightened or reduced sensitivity to sensory stimuli such as sound, touch, taste, or smell. Older children with autism may react strongly to certain textures, noises, or lights, leading to discomfort or distress in sensory-rich environments.
Difficulty with Transitions: Children with autism may have difficulty transitioning between activities, tasks, or environments, especially when transitioning away from highly preferred interests. Older children with autism may require additional support and structured strategies to navigate changes successfully and manage transitions without becoming overwhelmed or anxious.
Executive Functioning Challenges: Difficulties in organization, planning, time management, and problem-solving skills may become more apparent in older children with autism. They may need help completing multi-step tasks, prioritizing activities, or adapting to unexpected routine changes.
Social Awareness and Empathy: Difficulty understanding and empathizing with others' emotions, perspectives, or intentions. Older children with autism may benefit from explicit teaching and guidance in social skills, perspective-taking, and emotional regulation.

Recognizing these signs in older children can guide parents, educators, and healthcare professionals in developing targeted interventions and support strategies.

A multidisciplinary approach that includes behavioral therapies, speech and language interventions, social skills training, occupational therapy, and sensory accommodations can help children with autism thrive.

Please note: While this information can help clarify autism in older children, our services are currently only available for children ages 18 months to 9 years old.

Seeking Support and Intervention at Bierman

As a leading autism center for children, we understand the importance of early intervention and personalized support for children with autism.

Our multidisciplinary team collaborates to create customized treatment plans tailored to everyone’s unique strengths and challenges.

By recognizing the symptoms and early signs of autism, we can work together to promote growth, development, and quality of life. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can support your child’s journey.