Recognizing Autism in Babies

According to research, some common traits of autism usually emerge in infants during the ages of 9-16 months. However, parents may not be familiar with these early signs, which can cause delays in having their children diagnosed with autism. Often, children are not diagnosed with autism until they are four or five years old, postponing early intervention that can help address issues associated with autism. This month, two notable organizations introduced helpful guides for parents of infants to help them identify concerning characteristics related to autism so that they may seek further assessment.

According to “Early signs of autism for infants and toddlers,” written by Joe Dziemianowicz and posted April 1, 2019, on the Today show website, a new online resource called Baby Navigator can help parents recognize common traits of autism. [To read this article, please click here.] Developed by the Florida State University College of Medicine’s Autism Institute, under the direction of Amy Wetherby, Ph.D. in communication disorders, this site is designed for parents.

As part of the Baby Navigator site, Autism Navigator offers a wealth of free resources for families, including photos, videos, and screening tools for babies 9-18 months. [To view this site, please click here.] The goal of this site is to help parents recognize the first signs of autism to assist in early detection and diagnosis. A primary resource of Autism Navigator is an online text illustrated with photographs, 16 Early Signs of Autism by 16 Months. This book not only defines common characteristics found in babies with autism but also contrasts these behaviors with those of typical infants. In addition, they note that if only one or two traits are exhibited, parents should not be concerned, but babies showing four of the traits should be screened for autism. Moreover, they recommend that those infants who display eight or more of the traits should be referred for an autism evaluation.

The 16 Early Signs of Autism by 16 Months include the following:

1. “Hard to get your baby to look at you”––They explain that typical babies gaze at their parents’ face and eyes, whereas babies with autism often do not look at faces.

2.  “Rarely shares enjoyment with you”––They note that typical babies smile and laugh, while babies with autism may rarely smile or show facial expressions and may have a flat affect, making it difficult to tell whether they are happy.

3.  “Rarely shares their interests with you”––They explain that babies with autism often do not use gestures, such as pointing, or sounds or words, as typical babies do.

4.  “Rarely responds to their name or other bids”––They describe how babies with autism may not come when they are called or may not engage in interactive behaviors, such as waving or looking where someone else is pointing.

5. “Limited use of gestures such as showing and pointing”––They indicate that babies with autism often do not point with their fingers.

6.  “Hard to look at you and use a gesture and a sound”––They explain that typical babies use a combination of behaviors to show their interests and wants. Babies with autism may not be able to do all three behaviors at the same time.

7.  “Little or no imitating other people or pretending”––They note that around a year old, babies copy others’ behavior, such as caring for a teddy bear or pretending to cook. However, infants with autism may not display these behaviors.

8.  “Uses your hand as a tool”––They describe how typical babies ages 9-16 months use a variety of gestures, such as reaching and waving. In contrast, those with autism have limited gestures and may use their parents’ hands as tools instead, such as using a parent’s hand to point instead of their own.

9.  “More interested in objects than people”––They explain that typical babies like to interact, whereas babies with autism may ignore other people, especially if they are already engaged with toys or objects.

10.  “Unusual ways of moving their fingers, hands, or body”––They note that babies with autism may stiffen and flare their fingers or display unusual posture.

11.  “Repeats unusual movements with objects”––They describe how children with autism may spin or line up objects.

12.  “Develops rituals and may get very upset over change”––They note that typical babies learn routines but can adapt easily to change. By contrast, babies with autism need routine and may be inflexible and upset about change.

13.  “Excessive interest in particular objects or activities”––They explain that infants with autism may be overly focused and difficult to shift their attention away.

14.  “Very focused on or attached to unusual objects”––They note that babies with autism are often drawn to utensils or gadgets.

15.  “Unusual reaction to sounds, sights, or textures”––They describe sensory issues found in autism, such as putting hands over ears in loud environments, squinting in bright light, and being bothered by clothing tags.

16.  “Strong interest in unusual sensory experiences”––They provide examples of behaviors observed in children with autism, including looking out of the sides of their eyes and rubbing objects that have texture.

This clearly written and well-organized book offers a valuable resource for parents of infants who may be concerned that their children are displaying characteristics of autism. Another excellent resource introduced this month may also provide helpful guidance for those parents of infants concerned about their children’s development. The National Autism Association recently published “Autism SOS” online as a simple guide to help parents recognize signs of autism at 12-18 months and 18-24 months. [To view this guide, please click here.] The letters SOS stand for Social Avoidance, Obsession and Repetition, and Speech Delays.

Specifically, social avoidance in autism includes the tendency to prefer objects to people, a lack of eye contact, and not responding to others’ facial expressions, such as smiles. In addition, social avoidance includes the following behaviors: not imitating parents, preferring to play alone, and not liking being touched.

Examples of obsession and repetition commonly seen in autism may involve children staring at their hands or objects, especially things that spin. Moreover, they may engage in repetitive movement, such as hand flapping or rocking. Also, they may exhibit a need for sameness and routine, and they may become upset by sensory issues, including loud noises and bothersome textures.

The third identifying aspect of autism, speech delays, is critical but not as specifically addressed by Autism Navigator. For many parents, speech delays are the impetus to have their children assessed for autism. “Autism SOS” explains that speech delays involve expressive language, such as the baby not attempting to communicate by pointing or reaching or by making sounds like “da-da” or “ba-ba.” In addition, the child may repeat words over and over with no real intent to communicate to others, and by two years old, the child may not be able to produce two-word phrases. Furthermore, children with autism may display speech delays by their lack of receptive language, not responding to their names nor understanding simple statements and questions directed to them.

While the rapidly increasing numbers of children diagnosed with autism are worrisome, the increase of helpful resources for parents is encouraging. Hopefully, the availability of useful guides, including Autism Navigator and “Autism SOS,” will encourage parents to seek professional help for their children who are struggling with autism so that they can overcome obstacles and develop skills needed to develop their full potential.

“After these signs take place, do what must be done, for God is with you.” I Samuel 10:7

On Target

Recognizing sensory and motor issues people with autism and other disabilities face, popular retailer Target has addressed these needs by recently offering special lines of clothing and home furnishings. Through their Cat & Jack clothing for children, Universal Thread clothing for adults, and Pillowfort home items, Target now offers products thoughtfully designed with their special needs customers in mind.

According to articles on Target’s corporate website, A Bullseye View, titled “Cat & Jack Includes Adaptive Apparel to Help Meet the Needs of Even More Kids” and “Design for All: Cat & Jack Add Select Sensory-Friendly Pieces for Kids,” Target began offering “sensory-friendly” clothing in 2017. [To read these online articles, please click here and here.] For example, this line of clothing has stamped labels instead of tags, flat seams, and no embellishments that may bother children with sensory sensitivity. In addition, leggings were designed with extra room in the hips to accommodate older children who wear diapers.

Target clothing design director Stacey Monsen knows firsthand the difficulties of dressing a child with autism: her young daughter has autism and was not potty trained by age seven. Working with a volunteer group of parents and organizations who could provide input, the Target team worked to solve some of the problems of clothing children with special needs. As Stacey Monsen states, “My goal is to keep being an advocate, for my daughter and for others.”

Not only are the Cat & Jack clothing sensory friendly, but they also come in a wide range of sizes: toddler sizes 2T-5T and bigger kids sizes extra small through extra extra large. Additionally, the clothes are quite reasonably priced from $4.50-$39.99, with most priced under twenty dollars, making sensory friendly clothing available to a wide range of customers.

Following up on the popularity of the Cat & Jack sensory-friendly clothing, Target introduced adaptive clothing in the fall of 2018. Using input from “real kids,” designers developed apparel to meet special needs. Specifically, this clothing line includes snap and zip closures on the sides and back along with abdominal access openings that are hidden. Other features include footless sleepwear, bodysuits sized for older children wearing diapers, and jackets with zip-off sleeves. Additionally, this clothing is made with “extra-soft, comfortable, and durable cotton knits.” All of these adaptive clothes were designed to make dressing easier for children with special needs and their parents.

According to a Disability Scoop online article written by Shaun Heasley and published on January 31, 2018, “Target Adding Clothing For Adults With Special Needs,” the retailer added a line of clothing to serve women with sensory and adaptive needs in February 2018. [To read this article, please click here.] The Universal Thread collection offers tops and jeans in a wide range of adult sizes reasonably priced from $5 to under $40. Like the Cat & Jack clothing line for children, the adult versions are “sensory-friendly” with stamped labels instead of tags, flat seams, and extra-soft material. The jeans have longer inseams, wider leg openings, high-rise backs, and no pockets to make getting dressed easier.

Building on the success of the clothing lines addressing special needs, Target has recently added sensory-friendly items to their Pillowfort home collection. According to an online article written by Mark Wilson on Fast Company published April 3, 2019, and titled “Target’s newest furniture is for kids with sensory sensitivity,” Target is now offering furniture items specifically designed for special needs children. [To read this article, please click here.] Just as with their Cat & Jack sensory-friendly and adaptive clothing, Target designers consulted with parents and children to gain input on this sensory-friendly furniture line.

Furthermore, Target’s website details the careful thought put into these special home items on their “Sensory Friendly Kids’ Home” page. [To access this page, please click here.] For example, the cocoon seat offers “cradled comfort” as well as a removable, washable “super-soft” cover with a water-resistant liner. The hideaway tent allows children a place to get away from sensory overload while providing a carrying case for easy transport. The crash pads, like the cocoon seats, have removable, washable covers with water-resistant linings, as well as durable fabric and foam. The weighted blankets, which many children with autism find soothing for sleep, have “super-soft removable, washable covers.” As with the special clothing lines, Target has kept these home items reasonably priced from $20-100, making them available to most families. As Target senior vice-president Julie Guggemos explains, “At Target, our purpose is to help all families discover the joy of everyday life.”

Certainly, Target should be commended for their concern for special needs customers and their willingness to seek input about how to make their lives easier and better. By offering a variety of reasonably priced clothing and furniture that address sensory and adaptive issues, Target can successfully meet the needs of a growing population. Indeed, through the Cat & Jack, Universal Thread, and Pillowfort collections, Target can help families, especially those with special needs, “discover the joy of everyday life.”

“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

Autism by Numbers

Last Monday, April 1^st, marked the beginning of this year’s Autism Awareness Month. One of the many things I have learned from Alex is the value of numbers and statistics, as well as qualifying figures as “approximately” or “exactly.” In honor of my adult son with autism, I will share some important data that demonstrate the need for autism awareness every month, not just every April.

The sources of my information are articles from the websites for the National Autism Association and The Autism Community in Action. [To read “Autism Fact Sheet,” please click here. To read “Autism & Safety Facts,” please click here. To read “Autism Statistics and Cost,” please click here.]

1.  According to current statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 1 in 59 children in the United States has autism.

2.  The rate of autism is 4.5 times higher in boys than in girls: an estimated rate of 1 in 42 boys vs. 1 in 189 girls in the U.S.

3.  Approximately 40% of children who have autism do not speak.

4.  Estimates reveal more than 3 million people in the United States have autism.

5.  Since 1970, autism rates in the U.S. have increased significantly from 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 1,000 in 1995 to 1 in 250 in 2000 to the 2018 report of 1 in 59.

6.  Even though autism is the most rapidly increasing developmental disorder, only about 5% of government research funding is spent on autism.

7.  Autism is often––in as many as 85% of people with autism––accompanied by other conditions, such as anxiety, OCD, epilepsy, allergies, asthma, autoimmune disorders, and gastrointestinal disorders, as well as difficulties with eating, sleeping, and sensory issues.

8.  In 2008, researchers in Denmark discovered that people with autism have double the mortality risk than typical people, primarily due to drowning and accidents.

9.  Approximately half (48%) of children with autism try to wander away from safe environments.

10.  In children with autism aged 14 and younger, 91% of total deaths in the U.S. resulted from accidental drowning after wandering away from a safe place in 2009, 2010, and 2011.

11.  Of adults who have autism, 87% live with their parents.

12.  The United States currently spends about $268 billion for autism costs annually. This amount is projected to increase to $1 trillion per year by the year 2025.

Behind these facts and figures are real people and their families whose lives are impacted every day by autism. While awareness is important, action is needed to help children and adults who are struggling with autism. Because so many cannot speak for themselves, we must speak for them.  Those who wander need to be protected from danger, and underlying medical and psychiatric conditions need to be treated instead of simply being dismissed. Moreover, more research needs to be done to find the causes and cures for this lifelong disorder that is growing at epidemic levels at great personal and financial cost. Our society can and must do more to help these vulnerable and precious souls afflicted with autism and their families who love and care for them.

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12