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What to consider when selecting a Therapy Provider for your child
Signs of Autism
The signs and symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder vary widely. One child with ASD will not have exactly the same symptoms as another child with ASD—the number and severity of symptoms can vary greatly. If your child is not meeting milestones or you are concerned about your child’s development, don’t wait! Talk to your doctor.
Early signs of autism can often be detected in infants as young as 6-18 months.
Early Warning Signs
Your baby or toddler does not:
- Make eye contact, such as looking at you when being fed or smiling when being smiled at
- Respond to his or her name, or to the sound of a familiar voice
- Follow objects visually or follow your gesture when you point things out
- Point or wave goodbye, or use other gestures to communicate
- Make noises to get your attention
- Initiate or respond to cuddling or reach out to be picked up
- Imitate your movements and facial expressions
- Play with other people or share interest and enjoyment
Additional Warning Signs
- Rocks, spins, sways, twirls fingers, walks on toes for a long time, or flaps hands (called "stereotypic behavior")
- Likes routines, order, and rituals; has difficulty with change
- Obsessed with a few or unusual activities, doing them repeatedly during the day
- Plays with parts of toys instead of the whole toy (e.g., spinning the wheels of a toy truck)
- Doesn't seem to feel pain
- May be very sensitive or not sensitive at all to smells, sounds, lights, textures, and touch
- Unusual use of vision or gaze—looks at objects from unusual angles
- May lose language or other social milestones, usually between the ages of 15 and 24 months (often called regression)
Developmental Red Flags
The following delays warrant an immediate evaluation by your child’s pediatrician:
By 6 months
No big smiles or other warm, joyful expressions
By 9 months
No back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles or other facial expressions
By 12 months
Lack of response to name
No babbling or “baby talk”
No back-and-forth gestures, such as pointing, showing, reaching or waving
By 16 months
No spoken words
By 24 months
No meaningful two-word phrases that don’t involve imitating or repeating
Identifying Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) at the earliest age possible is of the utmost importance because earlier diagnosis = increased outcomes.
Helpful Websites
Association in Science of Autism Treatment
Autism and Sleep: Empowering Children with ASD for Better Sleep
Autism Society of Mahoning Valley
Autism Society of Mahoning Valley (Facebook) Page
Autism Society of NW Pennsylvania
Financial Planning for Parents of Children With Learning Disabilities
Medical Guide to Autism
National Autism Institute
Ohio Autism Legal Resources
**The above pages are meant to be a resource for parents and caregivers. ABA Therapy Solutions does not specifically recommend or endorse any of the organizations or information contained within these web pages.
