Data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that 1 in 59 children today have some autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This condition is four times more prevalent in boys with 1 in 37 having ASD compared to 1 in 151 girls. Diagnosing this disorder can be very hard due to its ambiguous and varied symptoms and the level of severity. However, CDC states that by the age of two years the condition can be reliably diagnosed. As a parent of a 5-year-old boy who has Autism, you should look out for specific signs of autism in a toddler and immediately seek professional help if you notice any.

10 Signs of Autism in a Toddler: Things Your Son DOESN’T Do

• 1. Making eye contact when you feed or smile at the child.
  2. Responding to their name or reacting to familiar voices.
  3. Making noises to attract attention.
  4. Following moving objects with their eyes when you try to draw the child’s attention to them.
  5. Imitating adults’ movements and facial expressions.
  6. Ignoring your discomfort or not reacting in situations when you hurt yourself.
  7. Cuddling or responding to your cuddles and similar signs of physical affection.
  8. Using gestures in communication, like waving goodbye or pointing things out.
  9. Playing with other children or generally not interacting with people.
  10. Reacting to games like ‘peek-a-boo’ and others that have to do with a change in facial expressions. 

These are rather generalized signs but the point is that a child with an autism spectrum disorder won’t show normal behaviors for their age. You should be able to learn what those normal behaviors and developmental milestones are when researching parenting tips for a 2-year-old boy.

It’s essential to understand that exhibiting abnormal behaviors is not one of the signs of autism in a toddler. While children with severe cases of ASD can develop some strange habits and behaviors, these shouldn’t appear early on, so consulting a child psychologist is a must.

More Dangerous Signs of Autism in Toddlers and Older Children

Typically, these ‘symptoms’ occur when your 2-year-old gets older, but as children mature and develop at their personal pace, such behaviors might appear in toddlers as well. You have to watch out for them very carefully as they might lead to a tragedy.

• Self-harm. Children with ASD are prone to extreme emotional outbursts that can result in your son harming himself by accident or even on purpose. Behaviors like banging one’s head against something are common and literally life-threatening.
• Violent outbursts. For the same reason as the one mentioned above, children with ASD might become violent towards others. Such cases are rare, but biting or hitting the other child is a real concern.
• Pica. Pica is a disorder that often goes hand in hand with the autism spectrum. This condition motivates kids to eat non-edible substances, which can result in choking, poisoning, and deadly dangerous bowel obstruction.

You should look out for the first signs of autism in a toddler and consult a professional immediately if you notice any of them. Due to the plasticity of a child’s brain, your chances of successful treatment are higher if you start as early as possible.

Where To Find Help And Support  

If your toddler boy shows any symptoms of autism, you should seek the help of a specialist, like a child psychologist, child psychiatrist, developmental pediatrician, and a pediatric neurologist—these doctors practice in clinics, hospitals, and medical centers. You can bring your boy to the medical facility for a thorough evaluation.  

Telemedicine services are also available. You can talk to a pediatrician online for an initial consultation. The pediatrician will ask questions about your observations of your toddler’s day-to-day behavior. In addition, visual inspection online is also part of the first assessment. The doctor may also ask you to record a video of your toddler manifesting the signs of autism to help confirm the diagnosis.

Why do children with autism and their parents or guardians join community support groups? These support groups provide an excellent place for parents and caregivers to share experiences and seek advice and information about managing children with autism. In addition, participants can join campaigns for better healthcare services and provisions for their children.  

Private and government organizations support children with developmental or behavioral issues such as autism. Click here to find out more information about support services available for children with autism. This step will help you empower yourself to make smarter decisions for the treatment and care of your child.

Published: 2018-06-10 16:17:26