From a parent’s perspective: Knowing your child is different

Milestones

There are many websites that give information on “normal” milestones and when our children should meet them. For example:

• The UK’s National Health Service Birth to 5 checklist
• US’s government website CDC checklist

All such advice stresses that children achieve these milestones at different ages and in different ways.

However, a combination of delayed milestones may signal that your child needs additional support. If you have any concerns for your child, a niggling feeling that your child is different, then one of the most important things you can do as a parent or caregiver is to become familiar with these signs.

Autism is a “spectrum condition”

When viewing any information source it is important to keep in mind that autism is a spectrum condition and affects people differently.

The timing and severity of autism’s early signs can vary widely. Some infants show hints in their first months. In others, symptoms become obvious later. Not all children with autism show all the signs. Many children who don’t have autism show a few.

That means no one sign or symptom should be seen as a definite sign of autism. At the same time an absence of any one sign or symptom does not mean that it is not autism.  That’s why professional evaluation is crucial.  It is important to consult a professional, like a developmental behavioural paediatrician, child psychiatrist, child neurologist or a child psychologist.

Early signs and symptoms

There are many different sources of information that point to the following “red flags” that point to autism.

Spoken language:

• Delayed speech development like little or no babbling by 12 months and less than 50 different words by age 2.
• Not responding to others when their name is called.
• At 12 months little or no back-and-forth gestures such as pointing, showing, reaching or waving or not drawing their parents’ or others’ attention to objects or events, for example pointing at a toy or a book, or at something that is happening nearby before 2 (or a child may eventually do this, but later than expected).

Interacting with others:

• Limited interest in interacting with people, especially children their own age.
• Preferring solitude.

Repetitive or unusual behaviour:

• Preferring to have a familiar routine and getting very upset if there are changes to this routine.
• Having repetitive movements, such as flapping their hands, rocking back and forth, or flicking their fingers.
• Playing with toys in a repetitive or unexpected way, such as lining blocks up in order of size or colour, rather than showing imaginative play.
• Over or under-sensitivity to sensory stimuli, such as sounds, smells, textures, colours and lights.

Diagnosis of teenagers and adults

Autism is not something that one can “develop” during teenage years.  It is neurological and something someone is born with. However, the life trajectory for someone on the spectrum is very unique and can differ from person to person. It may be that signs and symptoms only become apparent to parents, teachers or employers when they are teenagers or when they are adults.