How to Use Language Development to Detect Autism

Because there is no chemical test or imaging that will diagnose a child with autism, parents can use a variety of methods to detect the disorder. One of the most common ways parents become alert to autism is through language development. While language development differs rather widely from one baby to the next, there are basic milestones parents should look for.

Things You'll Need

• Pediatrician
• Hearing specialist
• Pen
• Notebook

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Instructions

• 1

  Notice when your child begins to learn and respond to his name when it is called. By the time he is a year old, he should understand his name and turn to you when you call it out. "Mommy" or "Daddy" should also be learned by the first birthday.

• 2

  Write down dates when your child first says new words. Keep a journal of his first word, first sentence and other milestones. Notice how he responds to his name being called to him. Also note whether he seems to recognize when someone in the conversation addresses another (such as Mom addressing Dad at the dinner table).

• 3

  Observe the method your child tneds to use most frequently to communicate with his peers. Many autistic children will start a conversation and not allow anyone else to interject. The information may sound like a one-way lecture, with no room for outside comments and questions.

• 4

  Look for repetitious language from your child. Consistently repeated words may be a sign she is having trouble with language development. Often children who have autism will repeat words over and over when it is not appropriate.

• 5

  Take your child to a hearing specialist for testing if he is not responding to his name or other verbal cues. Rule out the possibility of a hearing problem by having a professional test his auditory system. Children with autism will have hearing skills within the normal range and still not respond to their own name.

• 6

  Watch for communication signals other than verbal cues to detect signs of autism. An autistic child may prefer to point at, pick up, or attempt to grab an object instead of asking for it.