Developmental Milestones and Signs of Autism

In Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Nassau County, & Suffolk County

What does research show about autism and developmental milestones?
Recent research suggests that in a child with autism, indicators can be seen as early as 1 year of age. For parents and caregivers, learning the early signs of the disorder can be extremely helpful in getting the early treatment for a child with autism.  It is also important to learn and understand the normal developmental milestones that should be reached at specific ages.

 

When it comes to autism, there are certain “red flags” that a parent should be able to identify. If any of these indicators appear, a child should be evaluated to make sure he or she is developing normally. If your baby demonstrates any of these signs, please ask your pediatrician to evaluate them immediately:

 

• No big smiles or other happy expressions by 6 months or later
• No sharing of sounds or other facial expressions by 9 months or later
• No babbling by 12 months
• No gestures, such as pointing, waving, reaching or showing by 12 months
• No words by 16 months
• No two-word meaningful phrases (not including imitating or repeating) by 24 months
• Loss of speech or social skills at any age

 

According to the New York State Education Department, these developmental milestones should be achieved by these specific ages:

 

15 months:

• Makes eye contact when spoken to
• Shows joint attention (shared interest in object or activity)
• Reaches to anticipate being picked up
• Waves goodbye
• Responds to simple verbal requests
• Says “Mama, Dada;” is specific
• Displays social imitation (such as a mutual smiles)
• Responds to spoken name consistently

 

18 months (Same as 15 month milestones, plus the following):

• Points to body parts
• Points out objects
• Responds to spoken name consistently
• Responds when someone points out an object
• Speaks some words
• Has pretend play (such as symbolic play with doll or telephone)

 

These developmental milestones should also be achieved when a child reaches two and three years of age:

24 months / 2 years:

• Imitates actions of others
• Is excited about seeing of other children
• Starts to sort by shapes and colors
• Begins simple make-believe play
• Follows straightforward instructions
• Combines two words to communicate with others; i.e. “more juice?”
• Understands several words
• Recognize names of familiar people and objects
• Points to pictures and objects when named

 

36 months / 3 years:

• Openly expresses affection
• Sorts objects by shape and color
• Matches objects to pictures
• Plays make-believe
• Follows multi-part commands
• Makes mechanical toys work
• Has wide range of emotions
• Uses simple phrases to communicate with others, such as “go outside, play?”
• Uses pronouns (I, me, you) and some plurals (toys, cats)

 

According to the New York State Education Department, the detection of difficulties with socialization is the critical issue in identifying autism early on in a child’s life. A child with autism often has problems developing, maintaining and intensifying relationships. Issues with relationships can be visible in problems understanding social cues, such as tone of voice, body language, intensity, facial expression and social surroundings. 

 

A classic characteristic of autism is repetitive behavioral patterns involving non-functional and play lacking imagination. The NYSED lists these differences between children with autism and children without the disorder: 

• A child with autism does not play like a usual child.
• Toys are often not used for their intended purpose, but usually for a repetitive, standardized exploration with lack of imagination.
• The child's anxiety and need for repetition or routine behavior are often apparent during play.

 

Problems with verbal and non-verbal communication may also be noticeable when communication attempts differ from those of other children. The NYSED points out these problems a child with autism may have with communication:

• The child’s attention may shift around and be inconsistent. They may not look to others for approval, look at faces when attempting to communicate or talk, point to objects and look in the directions others are pointing, or respond when spoken to.
• The child does not understand what is said to them consistent with what is expected for the child’s age.

 

Your child may be eligible for compensation if his or her autism was caused by a medical mistake or birth injury. Please contact us today for more information.

 

Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C.
Call Us Toll Free
1.877. ASK 4 SAM