Autism is a condition associated with the development of the brain. This condition often exists in a spectrum, implying a range of symptoms and severity of autism. Depending on where a child is in the autism spectrum, it changes how they socialize with others and perceive everything around them. This may cause hindrances in communication and social interactions. To understand this condition better, here are a few causes and early signs of autism in children.

Causes of autism
The exact causes of autism are not yet known. However, based on ongoing research, experts have concluded that certain genetic or chromosomal conditions can potentially affect infant brain development. In addition, several risk factors increase the probability of autism, such as:

• A child has the possibility of having autism if a close family member, such as a parent or a sibling is on the spectrum.
• A child has a 10 percent chance of being autistic if they have another genetic syndrome such as Fragile X or Down syndrome.
• Some research suggests that children may have autism if parents have conceived them at an advanced age.
• Certain prescriptions before pregnancy may increase the likelihood of autism in infants.

The above risk factors do not necessarily mean a child will have autism. However, if any of the above risk factors are present, watching out for a few common signs is recommended. In many cases, children on the spectrum will begin to show autistic signs at a few months old. In other cases, a child may develop normally in the initial few months or years and show the symptoms later.
However, in several cases, the early signs of autism in children become apparent before they are 12 months old. Also, in most cases, the signs of autism are noticeable before the child is two years old. Here are some common early signs of autism to look out for.

Early signs of autism in children
Not all children with autism need to show the signs of having it. There are quite a few cases where a child who doesn’t have autism also shows signs of being on the spectrum. So a professional such as a pediatrician or family doctor must evaluate the child for a more precise diagnosis.
The following are some of the signs that may become apparent across the ages.

By six months

• The child doesn’t smile at all or smiles very rarely.
• The child doesn’t express any engaging, joyful, or warm expressions.
• The child doesn’t make any eye contact or makes minimal eye contact

By nine months

• The child has minimal or doesn’t share any smiles, sounds, or expressions to communicate with others.

By twelve months

• The child doesn’t babble, or there is very minimal babbling.
• The child cannot indulge in back-and-forth gestures such as waving, showing, pointing, or reaching out to grab something.
• The child doesn’t respond when their name is called out.

By sixteen to twenty-four months

• The child doesn’t speak at all or speaks very few words, which are meaningless or often two-word phrases.

Some children on the spectrum do not show the above signs. Their development appears to be the same as those of children who are not on the spectrum. However, after a few months of years, their communication, verbal, and behavioral skills decline, and they start to show the following signs of autism. Also, each child on the spectrum will have a pattern of behavioral traits depending on the severity, whether the autism is low or high functioning.

Social communication and interaction

• The child cannot respond to their name or hear their caregiver.
• They become agitated when cuddled or hugged or unable to show physical affection.
• They tend to retreat into their world.
• There is poor eye contact and no facial expression.
• They have yet to develop the ability to speak firm sentences. Or there is a delay in speech development.
• The child is unable to start a conversation or continue it.
• They only speak when they want to ask or request something.
• They can speak only by repeating phrases or words verbatim. But they need help comprehending how to use the phrases and words.
• They are unable to grasp simple directions or questions.
• They can not express their own emotions and appear to be indifferent to other emotions or feelings.
• They cannot approach social interactions without being aggressive, disruptive, or passive.
• They are unequipped to identify the non-verbal cues of others.

Patterns of behavior
A child with autism may show repetitive and limited patterns of behavior. These include the following:

• They frequently do repetitive movements such as flapping their hands, spinning around, or rocking their body.
• They will follow specific rituals and routines, which may upset them if interrupted or disrupted.
• They find it challenging to coordinate, follow odd movement patterns, walk on their toes, or use stiff body language.
• They show an overt fascination for details in things such as the pendulum of a clock. However, they cannot grasp that particular thing’s function or overall purpose, and are unusually sensitive to light, sound, or touch, yet may be indifferent to pain or temperature.
• They are not inclined to engage in make-believe play or imitation as most kids do.
• They have very particular food preferences, such as eating foods of only a specific consistency, color, or taste. Or they are disturbed or upset when one type of food comes in contact with another on their plate.

It is advisable not to delay if you notice any of the above signs or symptoms in your baby, toddler, or preschooler. If your child struggles to perform simple activities and cannot cope, check in with the child’s pediatrician. And if the doctor suspects a problem, your child will be scheduled for a detailed checkup. With timely intervention and appropriate therapy, massive improvements can be made in your child’s overall development.