Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a person interacts with the world around them. While the signs of ASD can vary from child to child, there are some common signs that may be present in children with ASD at 18 months of age.
It is important to note that not all children who exhibit these signs will have ASD, and a diagnosis can only be made by a qualified professional. However, if you are concerned about your child's development, it is important to talk to your doctor or a specialist.
Transition paragraph: In this article, we will discuss some of the common signs of ASD in children at 18 months of age, as well as how to seek help if you are concerned about your child's development.
signs of autism at 18 months
At 18 months, children with ASD may exhibit certain signs that may be cause for concern.
- Lack of eye contact
- Delayed language skills
- Unusual repetitive behaviors
- Intense interests
- Difficulty with social interactions
- Sensory sensitivities
- Hyperactivity or impulsivity
- Toe walking
It is important to note that not all children who exhibit these signs will have ASD, and a diagnosis can only be made by a qualified professional.
Lack of eye contact
Eye contact is an important part of social communication. It helps us to connect with others, understand their emotions, and share our own. Children with autism may have difficulty making eye contact for a variety of reasons.
- Aversion to eye contact: Some children with autism find eye contact to be overwhelming or uncomfortable. They may look away or avoid eye contact altogether.
- Difficulty understanding social cues: Children with autism may not understand the social significance of eye contact. They may not realize that eye contact is a way of showing attention, interest, or engagement.
- Problems with joint attention: Joint attention is the ability to share focus with another person on an object or activity. Children with autism may have difficulty with joint attention, which can make it difficult for them to make eye contact.
- Intense focus on other things: Children with autism may be very focused on their own thoughts, interests, or activities. This can make it difficult for them to break their focus and make eye contact with others.
It is important to note that lack of eye contact is not always a sign of autism. Some children may simply be shy or have a different way of showing attention. However, if you are concerned about your child's eye contact, it is important to talk to your doctor or a specialist.
Delayed language skills
Language skills are an important part of a child's development. They allow children to communicate their needs, wants, and thoughts, and to learn and interact with the world around them. Children with autism may experience delays in their language skills, which can be a sign of the condition.
There are a number of reasons why children with autism may have delayed language skills. Some of these reasons include:
- Difficulty with social interactions: Children with autism may have difficulty understanding and responding to social cues, which can make it difficult for them to learn language through social interactions.
- Problems with joint attention: Joint attention is the ability to share focus with another person on an object or activity. Children with autism may have difficulty with joint attention, which can make it difficult for them to learn language through shared experiences.
- Repetitive or restricted interests: Children with autism may have intense interests in certain topics or activities. This can lead them to focus on these interests to the exclusion of other things, including language learning.
- Sensory sensitivities: Children with autism may be sensitive to certain sounds, sights, or textures. This can make it difficult for them to focus on language learning, especially if the learning environment is too stimulating or overwhelming.
Delayed language skills can have a significant impact on a child's development. They can make it difficult for children to communicate their needs and wants, to learn and interact with others, and to succeed in school. If you are concerned about your child's language skills, it is important to talk to your doctor or a specialist.
Early intervention can help children with autism to catch up on their language skills and to reach their full potential.
Unusual repetitive behaviors
Repetitive behaviors are a common sign of autism in children at 18 months. These behaviors can take many forms, such as:
- Rocking back and forth
- Hand flapping
- Spinning in circles
- Repeating words or phrases
- Flicking fingers
- Lining up toys or objects
- Stimming (self-stimulatory behaviors)
There are a number of reasons why children with autism may engage in repetitive behaviors. Some of these reasons include:
- Self-regulation: Repetitive behaviors can help children with autism to self-regulate their emotions and sensory experiences. For example, rocking back and forth can help a child to calm down, while hand flapping can help a child to cope with sensory overload.
- Communication: Repetitive behaviors can also be a way for children with autism to communicate their needs or wants. For example, a child who is hungry may repeatedly point to the refrigerator, while a child who is tired may repeatedly rub their eyes.
- Stimming: Some repetitive behaviors are simply a way for children with autism to stim, or self-stimulate. Stimming can be a way for children to explore their environment, learn about their own bodies, or simply to enjoy the sensory experience.
While repetitive behaviors can be a sign of autism, it is important to note that not all children with autism engage in repetitive behaviors. Additionally, some children without autism may engage in repetitive behaviors for a variety of reasons. If you are concerned about your child's repetitive behaviors, it is important to talk to your doctor or a specialist.
Early intervention can help children with autism to learn more appropriate ways to communicate and self-regulate, which can reduce the need for repetitive behaviors.
Intense interests
Intense interests are another common sign of autism in children at 18 months. These interests can be anything from dinosaurs to trains to numbers to music. Children with autism may spend hours engaged in activities related to their intense interests, and they may talk about them constantly.
- Narrow focus: Children with autism may have a very narrow focus on their intense interests. They may only want to talk about or engage in activities related to their interests, and they may not be interested in anything else.
- Repetitive play: Children with autism may engage in repetitive play related to their intense interests. For example, a child who is interested in trains may line up all of their trains in a row and play with them in the same way every day.
- Unusual knowledge: Children with autism may have a lot of knowledge about their intense interests, even if they are very young. They may be able to name all of the different types of dinosaurs or all of the songs by their favorite band.
- Resistance to change: Children with autism may be very resistant to change, especially when it comes to their intense interests. They may not want to try new things or do anything that will interfere with their interests.
Intense interests can be a positive thing for children with autism. They can provide them with a sense of purpose and identity, and they can help them to learn and develop new skills. However, intense interests can also be challenging for children with autism and their families. They can make it difficult for children to interact with others, to learn new things, and to participate in everyday activities.
Difficulty with social interactions
Social interactions are an important part of a child's development. They help children to learn how to communicate, cooperate, and build relationships. Children with autism may have difficulty with social interactions for a variety of reasons.
Some of these reasons include:
- Difficulty understanding social cues: Children with autism may have difficulty understanding the social cues that others use to communicate. For example, they may not understand that someone is smiling at them because they are happy, or that someone is frowning at them because they are angry.
- Problems with joint attention: Joint attention is the ability to share focus with another person on an object or activity. Children with autism may have difficulty with joint attention, which can make it difficult for them to engage in social interactions.
- Lack of empathy: Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Children with autism may have difficulty with empathy, which can make it difficult for them to interact with others in a socially appropriate way.
- Intense focus on their own interests: Children with autism may be so focused on their own interests that they have difficulty paying attention to others or engaging in social interactions.
Difficulty with social interactions can have a significant impact on a child's development. It can make it difficult for children to make friends, to succeed in school, and to participate in everyday activities. If you are concerned about your child's social interactions, it is important to talk to your doctor or a specialist.
Early intervention can help children with autism to learn how to interact with others in a socially appropriate way. This can help them to make friends, to succeed in school, and to participate in everyday activities.
Sensory sensitivities
Sensory sensitivities are common in children with autism. These sensitivities can make it difficult for children to process and respond to sensory information in a typical way. They may be over-responsive to some sensory stimuli, such as loud noises or bright lights, and under-responsive to others, such as pain or temperature changes.
- Hyperactivity or impulsivity: Children with autism may be hyperactive or impulsive because they are trying to escape from sensory stimuli that they find overwhelming.
- Toe walking: Toe walking is a common way for children with autism to avoid sensory input from the ground.
- Stimming: Stimming, or self-stimulatory behaviors, can help children with autism to cope with sensory sensitivities. For example, a child who is sensitive to noise may flap their hands or rock back and forth to block out the noise.
- Avoiding certain foods or textures: Children with autism may avoid certain foods or textures because they find them to be too stimulating or unpleasant.
Sensory sensitivities can have a significant impact on a child's development. They can make it difficult for children to participate in everyday activities, such as eating, sleeping, and going to school. If you are concerned about your child's sensory sensitivities, it is important to talk to your doctor or a specialist.
Hyperactivity or impulsivity
Hyperactivity or impulsivity is a common sign of autism in children at 18 months. This can manifest in a number of ways, such as:
- Fidgeting: Children with autism may fidget constantly, such as by tapping their feet, flapping their hands, or rocking back and forth.
- Difficulty sitting still: Children with autism may have difficulty sitting still for long periods of time. They may get up and down frequently, or they may squirm and fidget in their seats.
- Impulsive behavior: Children with autism may act impulsively without thinking about the consequences. For example, they may run into the street without looking or grab things from other people without asking.
- Talking excessively: Children with autism may talk excessively, often interrupting others or talking over them. They may also have difficulty taking turns in conversations.
Hyperactivity or impulsivity can be a challenging behavior for children with autism and their families. It can make it difficult for children to learn, to interact with others, and to participate in everyday activities. If you are concerned about your child's hyperactivity or impulsivity, it is important to talk to your doctor or a specialist.
Toe walking
Toe walking is a common sign of autism in children at 18 months. It is characterized by a child walking on their toes instead of their entire foot. Toe walking can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Muscle weakness or tightness: Children with autism may have weak or tight muscles in their feet and ankles, which can make it difficult for them to walk on their entire foot.
- Sensory issues: Children with autism may be sensitive to the feeling of certain textures or surfaces on their feet. Toe walking may be a way for them to avoid these unpleasant sensations.
- Balance and coordination problems: Children with autism may have difficulty with balance and coordination, which can make it difficult for them to walk on their entire foot.
- Habit or preference: Some children with autism simply prefer to walk on their toes. This may be because it feels more comfortable or because it allows them to move more quickly.
Toe walking can have a number of negative consequences for children with autism. It can increase their risk of falls and injuries, and it can make it difficult for them to participate in certain activities, such as running and jumping. Additionally, toe walking can be a sign of underlying medical conditions, such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy.
If you are concerned about your child's toe walking, it is important to talk to your doctor or a specialist. They can help to determine the cause of your child's toe walking and recommend appropriate treatment.
Early intervention can help to correct toe walking and prevent any long-term problems. Treatment may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, or surgery in some cases.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about the signs of autism at 18 months:
Question 1: What are some of the common signs of autism in children at 18 months?
Answer 1: Some of the common signs of autism in children at 18 months include lack of eye contact, delayed language skills, unusual repetitive behaviors, intense interests, difficulty with social interactions, sensory sensitivities, hyperactivity or impulsivity, and toe walking.
Question 2: Are all children who exhibit these signs autistic?
Answer 2: Not all children who exhibit these signs will have autism. Some children may simply be shy or have a different way of showing attention. However, if you are concerned about your child's development, it is important to talk to your doctor or a specialist.
Question 3: What causes autism?
Answer 3: The exact cause of autism is unknown, but it is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Question 4: Is there a cure for autism?
Answer 4: There is no cure for autism, but there are a number of treatments that can help to improve symptoms and support children with autism.
Question 5: What is the best way to help a child with autism?
Answer 5: The best way to help a child with autism is to provide them with early intervention and support. This may include speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and social skills training.
Question 6: Where can I find more information about autism?
Answer 6: There are a number of resources available to help you learn more about autism. You can find information online, in books, and from organizations such as the Autism Society and the National Autism Association.
Question 7: What is the prognosis for a child with autism?
Answer 7: The prognosis for a child with autism depends on a number of factors, including the severity of their symptoms and the type of treatment they receive. With early intervention and support, many children with autism can learn to live happy and fulfilling lives.
If you are concerned about your child's development, it is important to talk to your doctor or a specialist. Early intervention can help to improve your child's outcome.
In addition to the information provided in this FAQ, there are a number of tips that can help you support a child with autism.
Tips
Here are some practical tips for supporting a child with autism:
Tip 1: Be patient and understanding.
Children with autism may have difficulty communicating, interacting with others, and understanding social cues. It is important to be patient and understanding with them, and to try to see things from their perspective.
Tip 2: Create a structured and predictable environment.
Children with autism thrive on routine and predictability. Create a structured environment for your child, with regular routines and schedules. This will help them to feel more secure and less anxious.
Tip 3: Use visual aids.
Children with autism often learn best through visual aids. Use pictures, charts, and other visual aids to help your child understand concepts and to communicate their needs.
Tip 4: Encourage your child's interests.
Children with autism often have intense interests in certain topics. Encourage your child's interests, and use them as a way to connect with them and to help them learn.
Remember, every child with autism is different. What works for one child may not work for another. The most important thing is to be patient, understanding, and supportive.
If you are concerned about your child's development, it is important to talk to your doctor or a specialist. Early intervention can help to improve your child's outcome.
Conclusion
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a person interacts with the world around them. While the signs of ASD can vary from child to child, there are some common signs that may be present in children with ASD at 18 months of age.
These signs include:
- Lack of eye contact
- Delayed language skills
- Unusual repetitive behaviors
- Intense interests
- Difficulty with social interactions
- Sensory sensitivities
- Hyperactivity or impulsivity
- Toe walking
It is important to note that not all children who exhibit these signs will have ASD, and a diagnosis can only be made by a qualified professional. However, if you are concerned about your child's development, it is important to talk to your doctor or a specialist.
Early intervention can help to improve the outcome for children with ASD. With the right support, children with ASD can learn to live happy and fulfilling lives.
If you are a parent of a child with ASD, remember that you are not alone. There are many resources available to help you and your child. You can find information online, in books, and from organizations such as the Autism Society and the National Autism Association.