Autism - Symptoms

It is estimated that between 1 in 500 and 1 in 166 children will be diagnosed with Autism. Males have a four times more likely hood of having Autism than females.

How do you know if your child has Autism? Well, honestly, sometimes it is not as easy as going to see a doctor and getting diagnosed. Mild forms of Autism can sometimes go completely unnoticed and undiagnosed. The first signs are often seen with in the first three years of development. The list below can assist you as in to what to look for. Please note, this is not a definitive list, but instead more of a tool to assist you. If you think your family member has Autism, PLEASE get them to your doctor or pediatrician.

Social interactions:

• Problems developing nonverbal communication skills. This includes eye-to-eye gazing, facial expressions, posture and touching.

• Unable to establish same age friendships

• Lack of or no interest in sharing emotionally with others.

• Unable to understand another person’s pain or sorrow, a complete or partial lack of empathy.

Communication:

• Lack of or delay in learning to speak.

• Repetitive use of a word or sentence.

• Unable to understand what is being said to them.

• Unable to start a conversation with others.

• Unable to continue a conversation started with them.

Activities and Play:

• Absolute need for a routine.

• Preoccupation with certain topics. A great example is an adolescent consumed by basketball trading cards.

• Unable to focus on the entire object or toy. Knobs or wheels are the focus not the entire toy.

• Physical behaviors included (but certainly not limited to) constant rocking, hand flapping, jumping.

Once again, this is not a definitive list, I honestly don't think there is one. Use it and everything you find as a reference. We are all in this together, lets pray for a cure.

The Autism Resource Foundation, founded in 2007, is dedicated to providing resources for families dealing with Autism. You are Not Alone!

More information can be found here.

God Bless and remember:

Not Being Able To Speak…Is Not The Same As Not Having Anything To Say