Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition that affects a child’s speech, behavior, and social interactions. Identifying the condition as early as possible can improve outcomes for children with autism. But how can you recognize the signs of autism in babies who are just one year old? This guide will help you understand the signs and when to consider getting a professional evaluation.
At What Age Is Autism Diagnosed?
Many children receive an autism diagnosis between the ages of 18 months and 3 years old. However, some signs of ASD can emerge as early as 12 months. Pediatricians use special screening tests and standardized assessments to evaluate a child’s behavior and work out whether further testing at a center such as Neurohealth Arlington Heights may be necessary. Early autism detection can result in earlier interventions, which can significantly benefit your child’s development.
What Are the Signs of ASD in Babies?
Autism symptoms can vary widely, but there are some common early signs, so it’s important to monitor your baby’s social interactions, communication skills, and behavior. While some children with autism may show noticeable signs by their first birthday, others may develop normally before regressing. Below are some key signs of autism to look for in a 12-month-old.
Lack of Eye Contact and Attention
By the age of one, most babies naturally seek eye contact and want your attention. This means they follow your gaze, look where you point, or attempt to share interests by looking back and forth between you and an object. A baby who avoids eye contact, looks away when you speak to them, or doesn’t seem interested in what others are doing may be showing early signs of autism.
For example, if you point to your child’s favorite toy across the room and say, “Look at the teddy bear,” a developing baby will follow your finger and look at the toy. A baby with ASD may not respond to this cue and might continue to focus on something else instead.
Not Responding to Their Name
By 12 months, most babies will turn their heads, look up, or acknowledge when you call their name. They may smile, giggle, or make eye contact when they hear familiar voices. Not responding, especially if the child has no hearing issues, can be a sign of autism. For example, if you call your baby’s name multiple times and they don’t react, it could be a cause for concern. Some babies with ASD may appear to tune out or seem more focused on their surroundings than on interactions with people.
Difficulty With Nonverbal Communication
Nonverbal communication, such as gestures and body language, plays an important role in a child’s early development. Babies usually wave bye-bye, reach out to be picked up, or point at items they want. These are important ways babies express their needs before they can speak. If a 12-month-old baby rarely or never gestures at all, it could mean they have a developmental delay. For example, a baby with autism might have trouble understanding simple hand signals, such as waving.
Limited Facial Expressions
Babies use facial expressions to communicate and connect. By one year, most babies smile when they see you, laugh when they’re playing, or show surprise when something unexpected happens. A baby with ASD may have a neutral expression on their face most of the time. They may not smile back when you smile at them or they may generally struggle to show emotions through their facial expressions. This can make it harder for you to gauge what your baby is feeling.
Delays in Language Development
Speech and language development vary among children, but by 12 months, most babies are babbling, making repetitive sounds, and beginning to say simple words such as mama or dada. They also typically respond to familiar voices and attempt to copy or repeat sounds. A baby with autism may show little interest in this and make fewer sounds than you’d expect. They may not easily engage in back-and-forth communication with you. Some babies with ASD may hum, repeat the same sound over and over, or prefer to communicate in nontraditional ways.
Regression in Skills
One of the more concerning early signs of autism is regression, which is when a child loses specific skills they previously had. Some babies develop normally and then suddenly stop making eye contact, lose interest in playing social games such as peekaboo, or stop using words they’d learned previously. This type of skill loss often occurs between 12 and 24 months and is a strong red flag for ASD. If you see signs of regression in your baby, it’s crucial to get them evaluated by a healthcare professional.
Get Your Child Tested for Autism at NeuroHealth Today
If you notice symptoms of ASD in your one-year-old, it’s important to consult a pediatric neuropsychologist. An early autism diagnosis allows for prompt intervention, which can help improve communication, social skills, and overall development. For professional autism testing, contact our NeuroHealth Arlington Heights specialists and schedule an assessment today.
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