On the journey of a baby’s growth, every subtle change tugs at the parents’ hearts. When a baby begins to explore the world and learn to communicate with others, each smile and every coo brings immense comfort to their parents. However, sometimes seemingly insignificant behaviors or expressions may be early signs of autism. As parents, understanding and being alert to these signs is crucial for the early detection, intervention, and support of the child’s development.
Lack of social interaction
Children with autism often exhibit significant barriers in social interactions. They may lack eye contact with others, react apathetically to hugs, kisses, and other forms of physical contact, and even seem indifferent to their parents’ departures or arrivals. When playing with other children, they may find it difficult to integrate into groups, lack sharing and cooperation behaviors, and prefer to play alone or focus on their own world. Parents should carefully observe whether their baby is willing to participate in social activities and how they behave in social settings.
Barriers in verbal communication
Language is an important tool for communication between people, and children with autism often face challenges in language development. They may take a long time to start speaking, or even when they do, they may exhibit behaviors such as repeating phrases, rigidity, or lack of meaningful communication. Additionally, they may struggle to understand others’ spoken and non-verbal cues, such as tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language, leading to communication difficulties. Parents should pay attention to the baby’s language development, including vocabulary, grammatical structure, and willingness to communicate.
Repetitive and rigid behavior patterns
Children with autism often show excessive fixation and repetitive behaviors towards specific items, activities, or topics. They may repeatedly arrange toys, turn lights on and off, or repeat the same sentence, feeling anxious or resistant to changes. Although these behaviors may seem harmless, they are, in fact, a way for children with autism to cope with their external environment and a means for them to express their inner needs. Parents should understand and respect these behaviors while trying to guide their children to engage in a wider variety of activities to promote their overall development.
Sensory sensitivity or dullness
Children with autism also exhibit differences in sensory processing. They may be particularly sensitive or dull to certain sounds, lights, smells, or tactile sensations, leading to either overreactions or neglect. For example, they may fear loud noises or bright lights, or they may be unresponsive to pain or changes in temperature. These sensory issues not only affect the child’s daily life but may also exacerbate their anxiety and unease. Parents should pay attention to their child’s sensory reactions and provide them with an appropriate environment and support.
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