Does my child need to be checked for autism?

According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development's Autism Facts, "a doctor should definitely and immediately evaluate a child for autism if he or she:

• Does not babble or coo by 12 months of age

• Does not gesture (point, wave, grasp, etc.) by 12 months of age

• Does not say single words by 16 months of age

• Does not say two-word phrases on his or her own (rather than just repeating what someone says to him or her) by 24 months of age

• Has any loss of any language or social skill at any age.

Are there other things that might be signs of autism?

There are a number of things that parents, teachers, and others who care for children can look for to determine if a child needs to be evaluated for autism.  The following “red flags” could be signs that a doctor should evaluate a child for autism or a related communication disorder.

• The child does not respond to his/her name.

• The child cannot explain what he/she wants.

• Language skills or speech are delayed.

• The child doesn’t follow directions.

• At times, the child seems to be deaf.

• The child seems to hear sometimes, but not others.

• The child doesn’t point or wave bye-bye.

• The child used to say a few words or babble, but now he/she doesn’t.

• The child throws intense or violent tantrums.

• The child has odd movement patterns.

• The child is hyperactive, uncooperative, or oppositional.

• The child doesn’t know how to play with toys.

• The child doesn’t smile when smiled at.

• The child has poor eye contact.

• The child gets “stuck” on things over and over and can’t move on to other things.

• The child seems to prefer to play alone.

• The child gets things for him/herself only.

• The child is very independent for his/her age.

• The child does things “early” compared to other children.

• The child seems to be in his/her “own world.”

• The child seems to tune people out.

• The child is not interested in other children.

• The child walks on his/her toes.

• The child shows unusual attachments to toys, objects, or schedules (i.e., always holding a string or having to put socks on before pants).

• Child spends a lot of time lining things up or putting things in a certain order.