What are some signs that my child might have autism?
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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that can become apparent early in a child’s life, typically between the ages of 0-5 years old. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5 Text-Revision (DSM 5-TR), a neurodevelopmental disorder can impact the way that the brain functions in areas including social, academic, personal and occupational.
A diagnosis of ASD can impact a child in three key areas: social interactions, social communications and restricted or repetitive behaviors. As a parent, you may wonder what this means and what signs you should look for in your child.
Social Communication and Social Interaction
Children on the spectrum often struggle with social engagement. Most common signs include limited or no eye contact, delayed speech and difficulty responding to others, even when called by their name. Other less overt signs include a monotone voice, a limited range of emotional expressions and difficulty adjusting behaviors to match social situations. For example, a child may struggle to read body language, facial expressions and gestures that others share with them, leading to a lack of understanding of social cues and norms. Children on the autism spectrum struggle with reciprocity, which can make it difficult to engage in back-and-forth conversations (no response or one-word responses), curiosity about others (asking questions), difficulty with engaging in play (playing on the sidelines while the group plays together) and ultimately, difficulty with developing friendships with others.
In addition to communicating or expressing their emotions, children with ASD struggle with understanding and managing their emotions, which can lead to emotional outbursts or tantrums that are disproportionate to the triggering event. As a child’s inability to communicate their needs can help them ask for help or problem-solve, children on the spectrum struggle with this and often engage in physical ways of self-soothing, which can look like head-banging, biting or pinching themselves or others, or rocking and hand flapping.
At times, children can develop social and communication skills during the first 15 months but demonstrate signs of regression in their skills. This can look like learning several words or phrases, making eye contact and responding to their name, followed by the disappearance of these skills altogether. Research suggests that regression can occur suddenly or over a period of time.
Restricted and Repetitive Patterns of Behavior
Restricted and repetitive behaviors, fixated interests or activities can be characterized by excessive arm or hand flapping, rocking or spinning of the body, repeating specific words or phrases, and difficulty transitioning to new activities or tasks (deviation from their standard routine). Additionally, this can be seen in a child’s obsession or fixation on a highly preferred topic or activity that lasts for long periods. This can be an obsession with numbers, details, facts or objects that become the center of every exchange and conversation. There may also be unusual play patterns like lining up toys, hyper-focusing on only parts of objects or toys, like repeatedly spinning the wheels of a car. While all children go through phases of having a loved toy or television show, a child on the autism spectrum will not outgrow this phase in the same manner. Additionally, children who are on the spectrum may experience high levels of sensory sensitivity to loud noises, bright lights or materials.
The Importance of Early Intervention
While these behaviors and symptoms may be indicative of an autism diagnosis, it is important to remember that autism is a spectrum, and levels of impairment may manifest differently in each child. If your child demonstrates any of these signs or symptoms or even if you are uncertain, it is important to seek out a professional who can provide an evaluation or assessment. A trained psychologist, neurologist or developmental pediatrician specializing in autism testing and assessments can determine whether your child fits the criteria for an ASD diagnosis. Early intervention is crucial in improving developmental outcomes for your child. Services and supports are available to help support and sustain growth through critical developmental stages of your child’s life.
Gabrielle Aroz is a licensed marriage and family therapist and practice owner based in Brea, specializing in working with children, adolescents and families. With a strong foundation in evidence-based approaches such as CBT, behavior modification, psychoanalysis and DBT, she provides comprehensive support to help clients navigate mental health challenges. In addition to her therapy practice, she is passionate about parent education and coaching, offering workshops and coaching to empower parents with the tools they need to support their children effectively.
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