Apr. 4, 2022
As the prevalence of autism has risen in the past decade, more families are dealing with the disorder. Sara S. Wallace, MD, FAAP, with Lexington Pediatric Practice answers parents' common questions about autism.
Q. What is autism?
A. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neuro-developmental disorder that affects 1-2% of children. It is characterized by difficulties with social skills and communication, along with restrictive, repetitive patterns of behaviors, interests, and activities.
Q. What are the early warning signs parents may notice?
A. While routine screening for autism typically takes place between 18 months and 24 months of age, some parents may notice signs of autism during the first year of life. Early signs of autism may include:
- Poor eye contact
- Not smiling at others by 6 months of age
- Not babbling or pointing by age 1
- Not responding to sounds or their name
- Not reacting to a parent’s facial expressions
- Not pointing at objects of interest
Other signs may include:
- Restricted food preferences
- Hand flapping
- Making unusual finger movements near their eyes
- Getting upset by everyday noises
Some children may exhibit difficulty with social interactions, such as decreased interested in playing with other children.
Q. How early can autism be diagnosed?
A. Typically, autism can be reliably diagnosed as early as age 14-16 months. However, the average age at diagnosis is 4 years old.
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