Autism Symptoms in Babies

Autism is a developmental disorder that affects a child's ability to develop normal social interaction skills. It is usually characterized by impaired communication skills and repetitive behavior, which often appear within the first three years of the child's life. The disorder has been associated with rare genetic mutations, although its cause is not fully understood. Here is a brief guide to recognizing symptoms in infants.

Physical Signs

• Some of the early signs of autism in infants include repetitive actions and movements and an repeated arching of the back. Another sign that may suggest autism is a lack of gesturing by 12 months of age.

Interpersonal Symptoms

• Generally speaking, you may wish to have your child evaluated for autism if he or she is not smiling or babbling by 6 months of age. Other signs include no single words by 16 months.

Diagnosis

• Your doctor will make a diagnosis based on behavior rather than a cause or pathology. In order for the doctor to make a diagnosis of autism, he or she must find at least six symptoms in total.

Prognosis

• There is currently no known cure for autism in infants. Although there are cases in which children recover, it is not common.

Long-Term Management

• After diagnosis, treatment will focus on the management of symptoms and the devleopment of the personal independence of the child.