From “Mama, Papa!” to silence and stares: My child stopped talking.

Loss of language and social skills is one of the key features which families and caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) first observe. ASD is a condition related to brain development that affects how an individual perceives and interacts with others, with consequent challenges in social interaction and communication. There is no single cause for ASD. Both genetics and environmental factors play a role.

 Children with ASD walk, move around and run as expected for age, hence identifying the signs early is quite a challenge. Aside from language delays or behavioral challenges, caregivers and teachers might notice differences in the way the child interacts with other kids of their age. These mild differences which may be attributed to autism may already be present as early as before a child walks or runs. The typical age children are diagnosed with autism is usually over 3 years of age. Yet, parents and caregivers report that they first noted that something is different in their infant within the first year of life. 

Below are social, communication and behavioral challenges in a child with autism:

As every child is unique, a child with autism will not necessarily have all these challenges and will not be exactly like another child with autism. Some children with autism may have mild symptoms while others may be affected severely. Challenges with social interactions, communication and behavior can lead to problems in school and learning, social isolation, stress within the family, victimization and being bullied. Adults with ASD might not be able to live independently and have employment issues. 

Parents and caregivers know their child best. For this reason, any concerns about how a child speaks, acts, behaves and plays should be discussed with the child’s pediatrician. At the same time, parents and families can also track their children’s development utilizing simple milestone checklist or trackers such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Milestone Tracker App (https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones-app.html). This will facilitate communication with the child’s pediatrician and medical team.

Although there is no way to prevent ASD, there are various treatment options. Recognizing the early signs of ASD paves the way for early intervention which is most helpful to the child and family. Early intervention can improve behavior, skills and communication. Any intervention is helpful at any age. Although a child with ASD may not outgrow their condition, they may certainly learn to function well.