Early Signs of Autism in Children: Symptoms, Causes & How Parents Can Help

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a child communicates, interacts socially, and experiences the world.

With the increasing number of recorded cases of Autism in children, some as young as a year old, the modern age parents have expressed increasing worries regarding their children who might exhibit symptoms and behaviours related to Autism, including a formal diagnosis.

Worrying about whether the child will get socially adjusted, learn skills, have a normal schooling experience, be able to experience and express emotional needs, social acceptance, care, etc. is common.

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?

Autism is a group of diverse conditions—some to do with the physical structure and functioning of the brain—that are characterised by some degree of impairment in communication and social interaction.

It also includes an unusual or atypical pattern of behaviour known as ‘stimming’, which involves repetitive behaviours or actions and having difficulty transitioning from one activity to another.

Children with autism also present a set of unusual reactions to different textures and sensations which can sometimes manifest as food aversions. Early signs of autism in children include delayed speech, limited eye contact, repetitive behaviours, and difficulty with social interaction.

As the name suggests, autism is a spectrum disorder with individuals showing varying signs and symptoms.

In India, as research indicates, 1 in 68 children are on the Autism Spectrum, which is based on the documented cases. In relation to this, Autism has always been regarded as an important area of research and diagnosis because,

1. Autism in children presents impairments in social functioning, including the inability to completely assess social stimuli to produce appropriate behaviour.
2. Although it can be diagnosed at any point in an individual’s life, it is a developmental disorder, meaning that an individual is born with traits and symptoms relating to autism.
3. Children with autism are oftentimes seen as peculiar due to their unusual behaviours, which can lead to feelings of insecurity in the affected child, disturbances in social relationships at school, facing prejudice in other settings, etc. which adds to the worry of the parents regarding the wellbeing of their child. Considering the same, early diagnosis and intervention, also understanding the child’s needs is of great help.

With early diagnosis, a path of development of symptoms can be charted and the severity of the same can be determined early on, allowing parents and other caregivers to adjust their daily routines accordingly.

Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism is mainly associated with the impairment of social interactions and unusual, repetitive behavioural patterns.

It has an impact on the emotional state and processing abilities of the individual having autism, more so in children.

Research indicates that autism shows greater differences in the aspect of ‘cognitive empathy’, wherein it becomes challenging for an individual to read, interpret and respond to social cues—facial expressions, body language and in some cases, explicit instructions.

However, individuals with autism can understand and replicate the emotions being felt by other people, also known as ‘emotional empathy’. This means that, though a child with autism may have difficulties recognising and responding to others’ feelings but can resonate with them.

Further, more signs of autism include repetitive behaviors, unusual motor movements such as spinning, hand flapping, rocking, etc., followed by increased levels of anxiety following a change in routine.

Emotional Impact and Behavioural Impact of Autism on Children

Individuals with autism may take more time than the rest to understand and interpret emotional and social cues, thus appearing ‘cold’ sometimes.

Understanding the emotional implications of autism faced by the child, it is important to note that many of the children with mild to severe autism face stigma, bullying and exclusion on the account of being ‘different’.

Being the recipient of such behaviours and attitudes can lead to:

1. Feelings of insecurity and loneliness during childhood (and later in life)
2. Social isolation
3. Lower levels of social adaptation and higher dependency on parents or caregivers

Since children with autism have difficulties understanding the feelings and emotions of others, they similarly have difficulties understanding and expressing their own feelings.

Children with autism see and perceive the world differently and their ways of interacting with the world, including their parents, are quite different.

Behavioural patterns associated with autism are called ‘stimming’ and these are repetitive in nature. Although harmless, some forms of stimming behaviour can prove to be dangerous to the child and others around them.

Social Communication and Interaction Difficulties (Early Signs of Autism)

• Reduced or no eye contact in children, often avoiding gaze during interaction
• Not responding to name by 12 months or delayed speech and language development
• Difficulty with social interaction, including preference for solitary play and limited interest in sharing experiences
• Challenges with nonverbal communication, such as gestures (pointing, waving), facial expressions, and understanding body language
• Difficulty recognizing, understanding, or expressing emotions (emotional regulation concerns)

Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors in Autism

• Repetitive body movements such as hand-flapping, rocking, spinning, or toe-walking
• Strong preference for routines and distress with even minor changes or transitions
• Highly focused or intense interests in specific topics, objects, or patterns
• Repetitive speech patterns, including echolalia (repeating words or phrases)

Sensory Processing and Associated Symptoms

• Sensory sensitivities (over- or under-reactivity) to sound, light, touch, temperature, or pain
• Feeding and sleeping difficulties, including selective eating or irregular sleep patterns
• Intense or unusual emotional reactions to everyday situations
• Delayed developmental milestones (speech, motor, social skills)

For Autism Assessment Services in Mumbai and Thane — click here

Autism Symptoms in Adults

• Difficulty understanding social cues, tone, or nonverbal communication
• Preference for structured routines and predictability
• Deep, focused interests in specific or niche topics
• Social interaction challenges, sometimes masked through learned behaviors (“masking”)

When to Seek Help

If you notice early signs of autism in a child or ongoing developmental concerns, consult a pediatrician or a qualified Child Psychologist in Mumbai and Thane for a developmental assessment and early intervention support.

Causes and Risk Factors of Autism

The reasons as to why autism occurs are still under ambiguity as there are no specific reasons that only lead to autism. There have been researches that have stated that certain neurodevelopmental discrepancies during the prenatal and neonatal period have been associated with autism.

1. Exposure before birth: Conditions such as being exposed to high levels of pollutants, alcohol and tobacco for longer durations during pregnancy can hamper the prenatal development of the fetus and increase the risk of autism along with other intellectual disabilities.
2. Furthermore, research has also associated low oxygen levels at birth and low birth weight to autism.
3. Genetic causes: Certain genetic and hereditary factors and research on them also suggest that certain genes are responsible for the same and autism can also be regarded as a hereditary condition. If the parent(s) have autism (formal diagnosis or traits relating to autism), the chances of the child developing the same increase.
4. Further, even in children with very low levels of autism, environments set by parents or other immediate caregivers with the disorder (any degree), may induce such behaviours through reinforcements and also because they learn the same by observation.
5. Screen exposure and autism: While screen time does not cause autism, excessive usage can mimic or worsen traits of autism, including social isolation, delayed speech, and reduced communication skills.

Learn more about How Excessive Screen Time Affects Child Behaviour

How to Support a Child with Autism?

1. Knowledge is key. Having enough insight about the child, whether they have a formal autism diagnosis or if the parents are just suspecting, helps the parents to be aware of the child’s condition and needs and thus cater to the same. It is also important to know that autism is a spectrum disorder, wherein individuals can differ greatly in the intensity and kind of impairments—no two people with autism are alike.
2. Next is schooling. The schooling experience can differ for every child with autism. It is important to know the severity of the symptoms being presented by the child and whether the need for a special school arises.
3. Sensory needs are next. Children with autism have different sensory needs than the rest of us. Providing them with appropriate fidget toys and not forcing them to consume certain food items if food aversions are prevalent, is an important step towards caring for a child with autism.
4. Furthermore, psychological and psychiatric help is needed for children with autism. Consult our Child Psychologist in Mumbai and Thane if you are worried about your child’s development. Even if the child is presenting relatively low levels of symptoms and impairments, it is important to consult a psychologist, counsellor or a psychiatrist. As the severity of symptoms increases, medical attention may become apparent.Thus, professional attention is required for children with autism.
5. Emotional safety is extremely important for children with autism. Since they have difficulty processing emotional and social cues, creating an emotional safe space where they can talk about their problems to their parents and other primary caregivers is important. Children with autism tend to face greater stigma and bullying than others and thus it becomes crucial to have the said emotional safe space where their mental, physical and emotional needs are heard and met.

When to Seek Professional Help?

Professional help from a counsellor, a psychologist or a psychiatrist is an important aspect of caring for children with autism. Before diving into this section, it is important to note that these are not to be used as a diagnostic tool and it is always good to get insight from a practicing expert.

Children with autism present certain signs and symptoms that are a cause for concern and may require external help to regulate the same. These signs would be as follows:

1. Avoids eye contact at all times
2. Does not respond to their name being called by around 9 months of age
3. Does not show any interest in interactive activities including peers and parents
4. Does not show any sign of blabbering, pointing and gesturing by 12 months of age
5. No spoken 2 word phrases by 24 months of age
6. Overly sensitive to routine activities and shows increased anxiety over small changes in routine
7. Overreaction to certain sensory stimuli such as bright lights, sounds, certain textures, etc.
8. Reduced previously acquired speech and other social skills

These are just some of the signs that urge the parents towards seeking out a professional and getting the appropriate help. Early detection and treatment does wonders for the development of a child with autism.

In India various institutions offer help to parents and children with autism. Reach out to our child psychologist here in Mumbai and Thane to learn more about how to help your child.

Frequently Asked Questions