Four Signs Your Child Could Be Autistic Autism

Four Signs Your Child Could Be Autistic

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that usually results in repetitive or restricted behavior as well as problems with social interaction and communication. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that around 2.21% of adults in America live on the spectrum, with 3.62% of men and 0.86% of women estimated to have the condition.

Although ASD can be detected by the time a child is 18 months old, many people do not receive their diagnoses until they are well into their childhood; some individuals aren’t even diagnosed until they become adults.

When the condition goes undiagnosed, untreated or misdiagnosed, affected individuals usually have to deal with negative symptoms that tend to worsen over time. In fact, some children may not develop the skills they need for speech, learning and social interactions if they don’t receive enough support. Fortunately, there are plenty of signs that can allow even the most inexperienced parent to gauge whether or not their child is autistic.

Lack of eye contact is one of the most common signs of autism in children. While neurotypical people usually make eye contact as a way to connect with other people, autistic children may shy away from eye contact because they tend to be more indifferent on a personal and social level.

Some people with autism report that direct eye contact is simply too stressful or uncomfortable for them to bear.

Poor social interaction. This sign can be easy to miss for parents who spend significant time away from their children because it requires paying close attention to the child over an extended period. Children with autism are much less likely to engage socially with other children, close relatives and strangers.

In some cases, some kids with autism will display clear signs of discomfort whenever they are in social situations.

Sensory dysfunction means that children with autism tend to experience a lot more sensory issues or overload compared to neurotypical children. As such, some autistic children can exhibit a strong dislike for certain foods based on their texture or taste and certain clothes due to their fabrics. Auditory stimuli may also trigger negative reactions in children with autism.

Delayed language milestones. Children with autism tend to exhibit communication problems, which may be traced to their deficient social interaction. Such kids may not respond to their names when called, they may babble like infants when they should be able to speak, or they may refuse to speak until they start talking in full sentences.

Repetitive or restricted behaviors are another common sign of autism in children. This symptom can appear in the form of tics, or repetitive behaviors that the child carries out compulsively. A child with autism may also display repetitive movements such as lining up items or restrictive behaviors that limit their interest or focus to specific activities and cause strong attachments to objects.

If your child is diagnosed with ASD, there is help available, including medical devices that have been commercialized by companies such as MetAlert Inc. (OTC: MLRT) to help in monitoring the movements of affected kids and adults.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to MetAlert Inc. (OTC: MLRT) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/MLRT

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