Behavioral symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often appear early in the development of a child. Many children show signs of autism between 12 and 18 months of age, or even earlier. Early detection of autism is essential to take full advantage of the remarkable plasticity of the young brain and to help reverse symptoms. Studies have shown that autism can be diagnosed as early as 14 months.
It is important to pay attention to age milestones, as any loss of speech, babbling, gestures or social skills should be taken seriously, as regression is a major red flag for autism. If signs are detected at 18 months of age, intensive treatment can help reconfigure the brain and reverse symptoms. A typical development in a child will turn his head when he hears his name. Taking vitamins may not help reduce the risk of autism, but it cannot hurt either.
If your pediatrician detects possible signs of autism during the evaluation, your child should be referred to a specialist for a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation. Recent research confirms that proper screening tests can determine if a child is at risk for autism as early as one year. Having support from an early age can help improve an autistic child's development, language, and interactive skills. With that, pediatric primary health care providers identify if the child is at risk for autism spectrum disorder.
Babies can be born with a genetic vulnerability to autism that is then triggered by something in the external environment, either while still in the womb or sometime after birth. Studies show that early intensive behavioral intervention improves learning, communication, and social skills in young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The signs of being on the autism spectrum differ widely according to several aspects of the individual. But research shows that spacing vaccines doesn't improve children's health or reduce their risk of autism and, as noted above, actually puts them at risk for life-threatening diseases.
