Early Signs of Autism in Infants and Toddlers

 Hope you are at best of health and faith.


The earlier autism is identified, the better the chances of improvement through early intervention. Many parents miss the early signs, believing their child will “catch up later.” While some delays can be temporary, others may indicate a deeper issue—especially when multiple signs appear together.


Key Early Signs to Watch For (6 months – 3 years):


1. Limited or no eye contact



2. Not smiling back or showing few facial expressions



3. Not responding to name by 9–12 months



4. No pointing, waving, or gestures by 12 months



5. Delayed speech or no single words by 16 months



6. Repetitive behaviors, such as rocking or hand flapping



7. Overreaction or no reaction to sounds, lights, or textures



8. No interest in pretend play or playing with peers



9. Loss of previously gained speech or social skills




A case to consider: Ayesha, a 2.5-year-old in Lahore, had spoken a few words by age 1, but then suddenly stopped talking and became less responsive. Her family initially assumed it was due to a change in environment, but after consulting a developmental pediatrician, she was diagnosed with ASD. Early therapy started, and within a year, she began showing significant improvement.


What Should Parents Do If They Notice These Signs?


Don’t wait and see—early screening is better than regret.


Consult a child psychologist or developmental pediatrician.


Avoid self-diagnosing or ignoring others’ concerns.


Start intervention as early as possible—even before a confirmed diagnosis.


---


چھوٹے بچوں میں آٹزم کی ابتدائی علامات


آٹزم جتنی جلدی پہچانا جائے، علاج اور ترقی کے امکانات اتنے ہی بہتر ہوتے ہیں۔ بہت سے والدین ابتدائی علامات کو نظر انداز کرتے ہیں، یہ سوچ کر کہ بچہ بعد میں سیکھ جائے گا۔ کچھ تاخیر نارمل ہو سکتی ہے، لیکن اگر کئی علامات ایک ساتھ ہوں، تو یہ آٹزم کی نشاندہی ہو سکتی ہے۔


اہم ابتدائی علامات (6 ماہ – 3 سال):


1. آنکھوں میں آنکھیں نہ ڈالنا



2. مسکرانے کا جواب نہ دینا یا چہرے پر جذبات کی کمی



3. نام پکارنے پر ردعمل نہ دینا (9 سے 12 ماہ تک)



4. اشارے، ہاتھ ہلانے یا دیگر حرکات کا استعمال نہ کرنا (12 ماہ تک)



5. بولنے میں تاخیر یا 16 ماہ تک ایک لفظ بھی نہ بولنا



6. بار بار حرکتیں دہرانا (جیسے ہاتھ ہلانا، جھولنا)



7. آواز، روشنی یا چیزوں پر غیر معمولی ردعمل



8. فرضی کھیل یا دوسروں کے ساتھ کھیلنے میں دلچسپی نہ لینا



9. پہلے سے سیکھے گئے الفاظ یا مہارتوں کا کھو دینا




ایک مثال: لاہور کی عائشہ، 2.5 سال کی تھی۔ اس نے ایک سال کی عمر تک چند الفاظ سیکھے تھے، لیکن بعد میں بولنا بند کر دیا اور کم ردعمل دینے لگی۔ گھر والوں نے اسے وقتی سمجھا، لیکن ماہر سے رجوع کرنے پر آٹزم کی تشخیص ہوئی۔ ابتدائی تھراپی سے ایک سال میں اس کی کارکردگی میں واضح بہتری آئی۔


والدین کیا کریں اگر یہ علامات نظر آئیں؟


انتظار نہ کریں—وقت پر اسکریننگ کروائیں۔


چائلڈ سائیکالوجسٹ یا ڈیولپمنٹل ماہر سے مشورہ لیں۔


خود سے تشخیص یا دوسروں کی باتوں کو نظر انداز نہ کریں۔


تشخیص سے پہلے بھی تھراپی شروع کی جا سکتی ہے۔



اگلی پوسٹ میں ہم بات کریں گے: آٹزم کی تشخیص کیسے ہوتی ہے—کون سے ٹیسٹ اور ماہرین کی مدد لی جاتی ہے۔

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Understanding Childhood Developmental and Psychological Issues

Hope you are at best of health and faith. Every child grows and learns at their own pace, but sometimes, delays or difficulties in development signal deeper concerns. These can include issues like autism, ADHD, speech delays, and various behavioral challenges. Recognizing these early and addressing them with the right support is key to a child’s future success and well-being. Over the coming weeks, we will explore these topics one by one—what they are, how they appear, why they occur, and how families and schools can best support the affected children. These are not just medical terms; they represent real struggles for real children. For example, a 3-year-old named Hamza in Karachi wasn’t speaking at all. His parents thought he was just a “late talker,” but later found out he had a speech delay related to a broader developmental disorder. Such conditions can be emotionally and socially challenging—for the child and their family. Often, society labels these children as “naughty,” “slow,...
Read more

Types of Developmental and Psychological Issues in Children

Hope you are at best of health and faith. Children may face a wide range of developmental and psychological challenges, and each child’s experience is unique. Today, we’ll outline the most common types of issues, setting the stage for deeper discussions in upcoming posts. These challenges are generally categorized into the following areas: 1. Developmental Disorders These affect how a child grows in terms of communication, learning, and motor skills. Examples include: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Global Developmental Delay (GDD) Speech and Language Delays Intellectual Disabilities 2. Behavioral Disorders These involve persistent patterns of disruptive or aggressive behavior, such as: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) Conduct Disorder 3. Emotional and Social Difficulties These affect how children manage feelings and interact with others. They may include: Anxiety disorders Depression Selective mutism 4. Learning Disorders These are spe...
Read more

What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?

Hope you are at best of health and faith. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition that affects how a child communicates, behaves, and interacts with others. It’s called a “spectrum” because its symptoms and severity can vary greatly from one child to another. Some children may not speak at all, while others might speak fluently but struggle with social interaction or understanding emotions. ASD is not caused by bad parenting, nor is it a disease that can be “cured.” However, with timely therapy and support, children with autism can lead fulfilling lives. Common Signs of Autism in Children Lack of eye contact or social smile Delayed speech or no speech Repetitive behaviors (hand-flapping, spinning, lining up toys) Preference for routine, distress at small changes Difficulty understanding social cues or playing with peers Let’s consider a real example: Ahmed, a 4-year-old from Islamabad, used to spend hours spinning the wheels of his toy car. He wouldn’t respond when ...
Read more