Parents should suspect autism in a child if they notice any of the following characteristics during the child’s development:
1. By 9 months: No response to name, no facial expressions like happy, sad, angry, and surprised
2. By 12 months: No play with simple games like pat-a-cake, limited or no eye contact, and little or no babbling
3. By 16 months: Very few or no words, and no back-and-forth gestures such as pointing, showing, reaching, or waving
4. Unusual and intense reactions to sounds, smells, tastes, textures, lights, and/or colors
If a child exhibits any of these signs, it is essential to consult with a healthcare provider for an evaluation. We recommend that pediatricians screen their patients for autism at 18 months and 24 months old
If we suspects autism, further process can include genetic testing, observing the child, and requesting various tests
We also enrol child for Early intervention services, such as speech, behavioral, and occupational therapy, can be beneficial for children with autism.