An autism symptoms checklist should be something with which every new parent is familiar because autism is more prevalent than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. It is also four times more likely to strike boys than girls. Autism strikes 1 child out of every 150 children, and since there is no cure, it is essential to know what symptoms an autistic child exhibits.

The challenge of autism is that it involves a broad range of disorders, called autism spectrum disorders or ASD, ranging from mild to severe. All autism spectrum disorders reveal deficits in social skills, communication, and interests and behavior.

In the first six months of an infant’s life, cooing, smiling, and recognizing parents’

voices are key milestones in normal development. In the next few years, not only should a child recognize his parents, he should also start to communicate and develop a vocabulary. An autistic child does not demonstrate these abilities.

An autism symptoms checklist includes:

Lack of smiling by age 6 months

Lack of babbling, cooing, and gesturing by age 12 months

Lack of word usage: single words by age 16 months and two-word phrases by age 24 months

Developmental regression with loss of any social or language skills

Ritualistic behavior and repetitive movements

Autism education gives parents the information to recognize the early signs of this complex developmental disorder. Parents who suspect their child may have

autism should immediately get a referral to a child psychiatrist from their pediatrician. The psychiatrist will run the appropriate tests and, if autism is diagnosed, will determine the severity and appropriate treatment measures which should be implemented immediately in order for the child to receive maximum benefit.

Early diagnosis and treatment is key to improving the outcome for most autistic children. There are children with high functioning autism who are able to function well in society.
Organizations such as the Autism Society of America and Center for Autism and Related Diseases provide much-needed help to those whose have autistic children.

It all comes down to this: Parents need to be observant of their baby’s behavior and when he

reaches his developmental milestones. If the baby’s behaviors are abnormal and there is a delay in his developmental milestones, refer to an autism symptoms checklist and seek medical care immediately if there appears to be an indication of autism.

Find out what you, as a parent, can do to [http://www.autismandchildhealth.com/What_Can_Autistic_Parents_do_to_Make_a_Difference_for_their_Children.php]make a difference in your autistic child’s life by visiting [http://www.autismandchildhealth.com/The_Importance_of_Keeping_an_Autism_Symptoms_Checklist.php]Autism And Child Health Resource Center which provides free articles, resources, and information regarding [http://www.autismandchildhealth.com]autism, a complex developmental order that affects 1 in 150 children.