A Routine Prenatal Ultrasound Can Identify Autism Early
Signs of autism during pregnancy…There’s no way to completely prevent autism from developing in your baby while pregnant, but there are ways you can reduce the risk. For starters, you can avoid certain environmental factors that are linked to autism. The signs of autism in pregnancy can be in an important factor but what about false alarms that can put undue stress on both parents?
Maintaining a Healthy Diet
Eating healthy is key to helping your child thrive. Many health experts recommend avoiding processed foods, which can be stripped of nutrients, and cutting back on white foods, like bread and sugar.
Taking Folic Acid While Pregnant
Supplementing your diet with folic acid, which helps the body make a compound called fetus-specific neurotransmitter, can help lower your child’s chances of developing autism. The vitamin is also important for proper development of your baby’s brain.
Keeping an Eye on Your Child’s Development
Monitoring your child’s developmental progress is another way to catch autism early on. Delays in social, emotional, and cognitive skills are associated with higher risks of developing autism, so watching your child’s milestones can help spot the issue early.
In-Utero Exposure to Chemicals That Are Linked To Autism
A new study suggests that in utero exposure to chemicals like phthalates, which are found in many personal care products, can lead to autistic traits. Researchers are working to determine whether reducing your child’s exposure can affect their chance of developing autism.
Mental Health Conditions That May Lead to Autism While Pregnant
Depression and other mental health issues can impact your child’s development and increase their chances of developing autism. If you’re experiencing a depressive episode or other psychological condition during pregnancy, you should consult your doctor.
What is Autism?
Autism is a complex developmental disorder that typically appears before the age of three. It is marked by difficulties with social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and behavioral problems, such as repetitive behaviors and a narrow focus of interest.
Symptoms of autism vary from person to person, and can be mild or severe. The symptoms often start before the child’s third birthday and may affect everyday life.
Causes and symptoms are not related to a person’s race, socioeconomic status, or ethnicity. The exact causes of autism are still being studied, but researchers think that genetics plays a role in the disorder.
There is a higher chance that autistic people have mutations in certain areas of their DNA. These mutations disrupt protein-coding regions and can lead to autism.
Some research suggests that other genes in a person’s genome may also play a role, but this is not well known yet. In addition, some autism is caused by problems during pregnancy or delivery or by exposure to environmental chemicals.
A person with autism usually receives treatment for their condition through behavioral interventions or therapies. This helps reduce their core symptoms and improves their quality of life.
Detection of autism in children is important and should be considered early. This is done through a screening process.
Screening involves asking questions about your child’s behavior and comparing them to other kids of their age. It can help determine if your child needs a more in-depth evaluation by a developmental pediatrician, psychologist or neurologists.
Early signs of Autism
Early signs of autism include atypical social and communication behaviour, repetitive behaviour or movements, and intense interests.
Some babies with autism show these early signs in their first 1-2 years of life. They can also start to show them at older ages as they develop more.
A baby who doesn’t make eye contact and doesn’t smile can also be an early sign of autism. They may seem to look right through you.
Babies are usually motivated to be near you, and they like it when you share their enjoyment by smiling or laughing and looking at them. Some children with autism have little facial expression and don’t smile so you might not be aware they’re happy.
Repetitive behaviour or movements that aren’t normal for their age can be an early sign of autism, including swaying and flaring their arms, knocking things over, spinning or wobbling, and lining things up. Some kids with autism don’t even use their hands, instead putting their thumbs on their ears or covering their eyes to block out certain things.
They can be especially sensitive to noise, touch, smells and textures. They may react very quickly to the sight, sound or smell of certain people, objects or animals.
Not interested in the games and play that typically-developed children engage in, such as running around with friends or playing together. They prefer a different type of game that involves organizing things or categorizing them, and they might become fixated on something they find interesting.
What are the 3 main symptoms of autism?
The most common symptom of autism is that someone has problems communicating. They also have difficulties forming and maintaining relationships, and they may have trouble with their social skills and understanding the world around them.
These are signs that your child may have autism, and they should be looked at by a health professional. There are a number of different treatments that can help your child with their symptoms, and you should discuss this with a healthcare provider to see what would be best for your child.
Signs and symptoms vary from person to person, so they don’t always show up right away. It can take time for your child to get a diagnosis and start treatment, but it’s important to keep an eye out for the following signs and symptoms:
Unusual response to sound, touch or taste
People with autism have an unusual response to the things around them. This could mean that they have trouble with loud noises, don’t like to be touched or don’t like the texture of certain foods.
Repetitive behaviors
Some children with autism have repetitive behaviors, such as hand-flapping or body rocking or singing certain phrases. These behaviors are considered a form of sensory oversensitivity, and they can interfere with their daily lives.
Genetic mutations and birth defects
A genetic condition called fragile X syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, or Rett syndrome can contribute to the development of autism in a child. These conditions can cause problems with the ‘Neurexine 1’ gene, which is important for brain communication.
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