– Are you concerned about your 18 months old child?
– Does he look at you and point when he/she wants to show you something?
– Looks when you point at something?
– Uses his/her imagination to pretend play?
If No, then screen your child for autism.

Few Characteristics of children with autism

• Very Moody
• Can get easily disturbed or upset.
• Never compromises with anything, very stubborn.

Early Signs of autism

• 6 months: No big smiles or joyful expressions.
• By 9 months: No communication through sounds or facial expressions.
• By 12 months: No babbling, no back-end-forth gestures such as pointing or waving.
• By 16 months: No words
• By 24 months: No meaningful two-words phrases

Social issues

• No interest in other people.
• Difficulty dealing with change.
• Indifference to people.
• No interest in interactive games.
• Sometimes vicious with siblings.
• Resists being held, hunger or kissed.
• Communication Issues
• Avoids eye contact.

Social Issues

• Unaware of environment around.
• Bizarre/repetitive behavior. Strange attachment to objects.
• Inappropriate play with toys.
• Hand flapping. Sometimes flicks fingers in front of the eyes.
• Lining up of toys.
• Rocking, Spinning.
• Staring at the ceiling.
• Eating unusual objects like curtains.

Motor Issues

• Clumsy/poor coordination.
• Lack of control over drooling saliva.
• Toe walking.
• Poor motor skills

Sensory Issues

• Over/under sensitive to sound.
• Unable to tolerate seat belts.
• Over/under sensitive to touch.
• Resists changing clothes.
• Never agrees to have a bath.
• Inappropriate crying/laughter/tantrums.
• Hyperactivity or passiveness.
• Extremely difficult to handle when getting a haircut.
• Gags at common household smells.
• Self-injurious behavior like pulling out hairs, head banging. No sense of danger.
• No Sense of pain.

-Kindly visit a pediatrician if you feel your child shows similar behavior.
-Autistic children have different neural connections in the brain.
Autism is seeing the world from a different angle.

How is it treated?

• There is no cure, but individuals diagnosed can cope and thrive with the right resources.
• Medications can be used to manage symptoms, but no drug specifically targets the disorder.
• Early recognition and therapy can reduce symptoms and support development and learning.

-Autism never comes with a manual. It comes with a parent who never gives up.
-Autism didn’t stop Enistein, Mozart, Newton or Temple Grandin from reaching the stars, and it won’t stop any child either.