Do you think your child may have autism?
About five million adults in the United States have autism, and it’s always better to know about neurodivergence earlier in life when possible. That will help ensure that your child has access to all the tools that they need.
So, how can you tell if your child has autism? Read on for the signs your child may have autism.
1. Poor Communication
If your child doesn’t communicate well, particularly as a baby or toddler, it can be a sign that they may have autism.
Children with autism may not respond to verbal or physical communication cues. Of course, these signs could reflect other conditions and aren’t limited to children with autism. That’s why it’s important to look into testing for autism to find out what the situation is.
2. Social Differences
As your child grows older and starts going to school, you might find that they don’t seem interested in other people, even their peers. They also may communicate with their peers in ways that fall outside the social norm.
Their facial expressions may be incongruent with the situation, or they may react in ways that seem socially inappropriate. This can make it much more challenging for them to make friends or connect with other people, which is part of why it’s important to understand why they’re socially different.
3. Lack of Flexibility
Most children do best when they stick to a schedule. But, if your child reacts poorly to any changes in their routine, even for positive reasons, that could be a sign of autism.
This can be challenging behavior to deal with, particularly when there’s an emergency or something else that necessitates a change at the last minute. Luckily, with the right therapy, these behaviors can be worked through with time.
4. Lack of Eye Contact
Many people with autism have difficulty making or holding onto eye contact with other people. This is part of their social differences with neurotypical people.
This can seem offputting, but it simply can just feel unnatural for people struggling with autism to make eye contact. Try and be understanding if your child is struggling with an inability to make or maintain eye contact.
5. Repetitive Behaviors
Some people with autism do unusual and repetitive movements and behaviors as a way to self-soothe. This is often referred to as “stimming.” These behaviors could include things such as walking on their toes, flapping their hands, rocking back and forth, and other similar behaviors.
These behaviors are not problems in and of themselves, but they can be distracting to others, which can be a cause for significant concern in school situations.
Signs Your Child May Have Autism: Get Started
Now that you know the signs your child may have autism, you can decide how you want to address this possibility.
Are you looking for autism testing Miami or therapist Miami? Contact us today for all the help you need.
