Lack of eye contact or reduced speech may be signs of autism; do not ignore these symptoms in children.

News Topical, Digital Desk : Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental condition caused by changes in brain development. It affects how children communicate and interact with others. As parents, it's important to understand that autism symptoms can vary from child to child. 

Some children show symptoms very early, while others don't become apparent until school-age. Early identification is crucial for a child's future and development. Let's explore the main signs of autism in children of different ages.

Teething signs in young children

Symptoms of autism in babies and toddlers are often linked to their social reactions, such as:

• Not responding to the name – Usually children turn around when their name is called, but autistic children often ignore it.
• Not making eye contact – Not looking into the eyes while talking or playing is an important sign.
• Less smiling – If you smile at your baby and he doesn't respond or smile back, it could be a cause for concern.
• Sensory sensitivity – becoming extremely upset or crying at certain sounds, smells, or tastes.
• Repetitive movements – flapping your hands, snapping your fingers, or rocking your body back and forth repeatedly.
• Very little speech – Speaks less than other children their age or does not speak at all.
• Lack of imaginary play – no interest in role-play games, such as dolls, kitchen sets, etc.

Signs of autism in older children

As the child grows, challenges become more apparent in social behavior and communication.

• Difficulty understanding emotions – They have difficulty understanding other people's expressions or what they are feeling.
• Different style of conversation – Talking continuously on topics of your choice, but not listening to others or repeating the same sentence over and over again.
• Fixed Routine: They like a fixed routine. Even the slightest change in routine can cause them to become very upset or angry.
• Intense interest – Being deeply engrossed in a particular subject, toy, or activity.
• Social isolation – difficulty making friends or preferring to be alone.
• Poor communication skills – They may not understand idioms or sarcasm, such as if someone says, "There are rats jumping in the stomach," they may believe it to be true.

Read More: HPV testing is essential to prevent cervical cancer; it can detect the disease before symptoms appear.