Recognize the signs of autism
According to Autism Ontario, these are some of the red flags for autism.
Communication Red Flags
- no babbling by 11 months of age
- no simple gestures by 12 months (e.g. waving bye-bye)
- no single words by 16 months
- no two-word phrases by 24 months (noun + verb, e.g "baby sleeping")
- no response when name is called, causing concern about hearing
- loss of any language or social skills at any age
Behavioural Red Flags
- odd or repetitive ways of moving fingers or hands
- oversensitive to certain textures, sounds or lights
- lack of interest in toys, or plays with them in an unusual way (e.g. lining up, spinning, opening/closing parts rather than using the toy as a whole)
- compulsions or rituals (has to perform activities in a special way or certain sequence; is prone to tantrums if rituals are interrupted)
- preoccupations with unusual interests, such as light switches, doors, fans, wheels
- unusual fears
Social Red Flags
- rarely makes eye contact when interacting with people
- does not play peek-a-boo
- doesn't point to show things that he is interested in
- rarely smiles socially
- more interested in looking at objects than at people's faces
- prefers to play alone
- doesn't make attempts to get parent's attention; doesn't follow or look when someone is pointing at something
- seems to be in her own world
- doesn't respond to parent's attempts to play, even if relaxed
- avoids or ignores other children when they approach
