Autism Epidemic

 Here are a few warning signs to look out for:

Does not mimick gestures like bye-bye by 12 months

Not speaking by 16 months (this may also indicate problem with his/her hearing)

Does  not respond when their name is called

 A regression of any social skills or language at any age

Repetitive hand gestures

Sensitivity to textures, lights and/or sounds

Lines toys in a row

Opens and closes doors, or toy parts

Compulsive tendencies (feels the need to perform the same ritual before bedtime, needs to sort his/her food on his/her plate a certain way, etc.)

Lack of eye contact when spoken to

Does not point to items they want 

Does not play peek-a-boo

A loner, likes to play on his/her own

Ignores when approached by children to join in and play

Appears to be in their own world 

• Lack of speech or babbling before the age of two

• Lack of ‘make believe’ during playtime

• Lacks initiative to start or maintain a conversation

• Short attention span

• Indifferent to people around them

• Rocking, hand flapping, teeth grinding, repetitive noise/grunting

• Fixation on any one single item for no apparent reason

• Arranging things in a pattern

• Tantrums

• Highly sensitive to smells, noise

• Resistance to change of routine

• Difficulty in expressing their needs

• Spins objects

• Emotional outbursts – might laugh or cry unexpectedly where no reason warrants this outburst

• Does not like to be touched

• Inappropriate attachment to any given object