New recommendations for the identification of autism

Parents often instinctively feel that their baby is something wrong, but not with whom to share their doubts. Sometimes take months or even years, before doctors diagnose "autism".

In 2007, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued new recommendations designed to help parents and doctors to recognize early signs of autism, allowing him to begin treatment as soon as possible. Although the disease is incurable, early medical intervention helps the child to realize the maximum available to it potential.

Recommendations suggest to check all children aged 18-24 months, if they have symptoms of autism, regardless of complaints or concerns of parents. During the regular inspection of a physician with special techniques can assess the speech and overall development of the child.

The risk of autism greater if a brother or sister of the child is already diagnosed, or if the parents, nurse or doctor expressed concern about his behavior. If any of these circumstances, recommended a more detailed examination.

Early signs of autism may appear during the first months of life. Their early detection can begin treatment early. Notify child's doctor if you notice that your child:

* Does not smiling or smile very little. Babies begin to smile, to attract the attention of other people already in the first months of life.
* Avoid looking people in the eye. In normal as early as 2-4 months, children establish eye contact with her mother, father and other relatives.
* Do not respond to his name. Usually a baby begins to respond to his name in 10 months.
* Not asked when you tell something or say: "Look here." In a normal reaction to such a request is already being marked with 10-12 months.
* No points to objects or people aged 12-14 months.
* No babbling. The child usually begins to babble with the 6-months. 8-10 months babbling becomes more complicated, the child begins to fold the sounds into syllables and words ( "ba-Nay-mA). Infants begin to imitate sounds and speech intonations of the native language.

In the presence of the following symptoms should seek medical advice immediately:

* One year old child is not babbling or pointing to objects
* A child of 16 months not even pronounce some words
* The kid in the 24 months does not say simple phrases of two words
* There is a regression in development - loss of speech and communication skills - at any age.

Share with your doctor any complaints about speech development and communication skills in a child (especially in the presence of regression). Approximately one in four children with autism and other related disorders, starts but then stops talking. This usually occurs in 15-24 months. Sick children may lose other previously acquired skills: the ability to specify a view, he waved his hand, making eye contact. The apparent regression in development - it is an occasion to refer to a specialist.
Treatment can begin even before they will be diagnosed with autism. The earlier correction of speech and behavior, the greater the benefit to the patient in the long run, and the higher the chances that he can lead a normal life.
Rx Montana