Autism screening is now a part of children’s regular developmental screenings. The value of all childhood screening is that delays can be identified, and interventions can begin sooner. Earlier intervention leads to better outcomes for all children with delays and disabilities. Screenings are helping providers see the early signs of Autism and lead to earlier diagnosis. Once an Autism diagnosis is made, Children’s Milestone is here to help with effective ABA therapy.
Importance of Screening
American Association of Pediatrics recommends children receive behavioral and developmental screening beginning at nine months with screening for Autism at 18 months and 24 months. If any delay is identified, the next step is for healthcare providers to identify any medical reason for the delay and make a referral to receive early intervention.
For example, most nine-month-olds will respond to their name and show expressions like happy, sad, angry, or surprised. But a nine-month-old who is hard of hearing may not respond to their name. In this case, the healthcare professional has a cause and will make the next steps including appropriate referrals. Most twelve-month-olds will use gestures like pointing or waving goodbye. They will also play simple games like pat-a-cake or peek-a-boo. A child with physical delays may have a visual impairment and that might be the cause for their not using gestures. They will benefit from referral to early intervention services, eye specialists, and physical therapy.
No matter what the delay is, pediatricians and all providers working with young children are key to identifying delays early, finding a cause when possible, and referring to early intervention. It is important to consider Autism if multiple early signs are present and no other medical cause can be found.
Early Signs of Autism
Researchers have been compiling early signs of Autism and detecting them in babies as early as nine months old. Developmental milestones are based on years of research and observation about how tend to children grow and develop. Most milestones are based on the average age children are gaining that skill. Part of the significance of early skills is that children don’t skip an early skill and then gain a more difficult skill. For example, if a child doesn’t stand independently, we don’t see them skip standing and begin running.
Social communication and social interaction are areas in which Autistic children show early signs of missing these early milestones. In addition to the examples stated above, children generally want to share their interests with others at 15 months of age. They could show you a toy they like. If a child is not pointing or showing items that interest them to others by 18 months, this could be an early sign of Autism.
What to Watch For
Additional early signs that can show up at any time include:
- Playing with all toys the same way or playing with just a part of a toy
- Repeating the same word
- Needing a certain routine and having an extreme reaction to change
- Unusual reactions to sounds, smells, tastes, looks, or touch
- Flapping hands, rocking, or spinning in circles
- Lining items up and becoming upset if touched
- Obsessive or narrow interests
A child who doesn’t make milestones or shows early signs of Autism should be referred. If a child eventually receives an Autism diagnosis, they will benefit from interventions to help them develop their social skills. ABA clinics like Children’s Milestone in Baltimore can help with treatment plans that target appropriate social skills.
A reliable diagnosis of Autism cannot be made at nine months, but additional developmental monitoring and intervention can be done if a delay is found. This can help a child overcome a developmental delay or provide additional data that helps with a diagnostic evaluation. When a child has a diagnosis of Autism, a referral to Children’s Milestone for ABA may be appropriate.
Support for Families
When a family finally receives a formal Autism diagnosis, it can be daunting for them to find a therapy that is effective for their child. Children’s Milestone provides ABA therapy in Baltimore because it works for Autistic children! ABA focuses on breaking down skills into small steps, providing positive reinforcement, and data-based decision-making.
When families have a diagnosis of Autism, they can contact Children’s Milestone so therapists can create a customized ABA treatment plan for their Autistic child. Contact Children’s Milestone today to get started!