Do you think your child may have autism?
About five million adults in the United States have autism. To help ensure your child has proper access to all of the tools they would need, it’s important to understand neurodivergence as early as possible.
So, how can you tell if your child has autism? Here are some of the signs to look out for.
1. Poor Communication
If your child doesn’t communicate well, particularly as a baby or toddler, it can be a sign that they may have autism.
Children with autism may not respond to verbal or physical communication cues. Of course, these signs could reflect other conditions and aren’t limited to children with autism. That’s why it’s important to look into testing for autism to find out what the situation may be.
2. Social Differences
As your child grows older and starts going to school, you may find that they don’t seem interested in other people, even their peers. They also may communicate with their peers in ways that fall outside the social norm.
Their facial expressions may be incongruent with the situation, or they may react in ways that seem socially inappropriate. This can make it much more challenging for them when it comes to making friends or connecting with other people, which is partly why it’s so important to understand what could be making them socially different.
3. Lack of Flexibility
Most children do best when they stick to a schedule. But, if your child reacts poorly to any changes in their routine, even for positive reasons, that could be a sign of autism.
This can be challenging behavior to deal with, particularly when there’s an emergency or something else that necessitates a change at the last minute. Luckily, with the right therapy, these behaviors can be worked through in time.
4. Lack of Eye Contact
Many people with autism have difficulty making or holding eye contact with other people. This is part of their social differences from neurotypical people.
This can seem off-putting, but it simply feels unnatural to make eye contact when it comes to people struggling with autism. Try and be understanding if your child is struggling with an inability to make or maintain eye contact.
5. Repetitive Behaviors
Some people with autism do unusual and repetitive movements and behaviors as a way to self-soothe. This is often referred to as “stimming.” These behaviors include things such as walking on their toes, flapping their hands, rocking back and forth, and other similar behaviors.
These behaviors are not problems in and of themselves, but they can be distracting to others, which can be a cause for significant concern in school situations.
Signs Your Child May Have Autism: Get Started
Now that you know the signs your child may have autism, you can decide how you want to address this possibility.
If you feel like you may need autism testing or a therapist to talk to, contact us today.