Autism And Developmental Milestones: What's The Link?

 From the time a child is born to when they reach five years of age, there are several developmental milestones related to how they move, speak, play, and learn. While slight differences in the way they hit these milestones are normal, children with Autism tend to demonstrate significant developmental delays. Understanding what forms these delays may take and how they are often masked by Autism is critical for you as a parent so you can get your child the best Autism treatment.

Understanding Autism

Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) refers to a range of neurodevelopmental disorders that affect social, behavioral, and communicative abilities. Autism is rarely detectable at birth, and most diagnoses are made when the child is between eighteen months and three years of age.

Common developmental milestones

There are several developmental milestones across a number of categories that outline levels of achievement for children aged one month to five years. While every child may not reach each milestone at precisely the same age, parents should be mindful that their child is progressing appropriately. Here, for instance, are certain milestones that three-year-olds should have reached.

• Social and emotional: Copying adults and friends, showing a range of emotions, and awareness of  how to take turns

• Communication and language: Naming familiar objects, stating own name and age, speaking in two or three sentences at a time, and understanding instructions with two or three steps

• Physical:  Climbing stairs without trouble, running easily, and riding a tricycle

• Cognitive: Playing with toys that have moving parts, screwing and unscrewing lids, building towers with more than six blocks, turning pages one at a time, and playing make-believe with toys

How developmental delays due to Autism are often masked

The first thing for all parents to remember is that every child is different and not all children will hit all developmental milestones at the same pace. In addition, certain delays are attributable to other causes such as premature birth. However, certain factors may lead to developmental delays that are hard to notice at a young age, including:

• Gender differences: Autism tends to result in children being quiet and socially withdrawn, qualities that are seen as desirable for girls in many cultures around the world. As a result, girls with Autism who are not meeting their developmental milestones may simply be labeled as shy.

• Empathetic siblings or peers: Often, the siblings or friends of children with Autism take it upon themselves to speak for the child to help them out. While this is undoubtedly an act of care and kindness, it can end up masking what the child with Autism is capable of saying or doing for themselves.

• Precocious intelligence: Children with Autism often display skills that are far beyond what other children of their age can do. These impressive skills or abilities may occupy the parents’ attention to the point where they do not notice delays in other areas. 

• Parents with Autism: When the parents of the child with Autism have autistic traits themselves, any developmental delays can be viewed as the child simply following in the parents’ footsteps, rather than as a sign of Autism.

Developmental delays that you should watch out for

Certain delays, if present in your child when they are toddlers, are clear signs that Autism may be present and should be checked up at once. These include:

• Inability to play with even simple toys, like pegboards

• Tendency to fall a lot

• Gradual loss of abilities they once possessed

• Not making eye contact while speaking

• Not wanting to play with other children or toys

• Not understanding how to use daily objects like spoons or brushes

• Not pointing to show things to others

• Not speaking in complete sentences

• Drooling or unclear speech

• Inability to follow even simple instructions

• Unwillingness to play make-believe or pretend

If you suspect that your child may have Autism or if you are worried about delays in developmental milestones, it is essential to consult your pediatrician at once. They can screen your child for delays, particularly in the social and communicative aspects. If your child does indeed have developmental delays due to Autism, they can benefit from the best Autism treatment comprising a combination of Sensory Integration Therapy, Behavior Retraining Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Social Skills Training, and Speech Therapy. This will ensure that your child gets the best chance at enjoying a healthy, socially active life.