Here are some helpful facts that parents should know about autism spectrum disorder.

One in 54 children in the US was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in 2020. Autism is a developmental disorder that impacts the way a child communicates, processes information, thinks, learns, and even responds to and socializes with others. Here are some helpful facts that our Monmouth County, NJ, developmental pediatrician Dr. Alison Smoller wants parents to know, whether their child has already been diagnosed or they might suspect that their child has autism.

The Diagnosis May be Overwhelming at First

When your child is first diagnosed with autism it may be scary and overwhelming. We understand completely. It’s important that you give yourself the time to read all the materials that our Monmouth County, NJ, developmental pediatrician has provided you, and to ask our team any questions you might have about your child’s health, diagnoses, treatment options, and more. The more you know the better equipped you’ll be to handle things.

Early Interventions Can Be Incredibly Effective

Detecting and managing your child’s autism as early as possible is important for supporting their growth and development. Some early interventions are geared toward a wide range of skill development including cognitive, motor, behavioral, and communication. Behavioral interventions that teach desired behaviors and then reward these behaviors are great for kids with autism.

Children with High-Functioning Autism will Still Face Challenges

While maybe not as visible or obvious, children with autism who are verbal and display high intelligence may seem like they are better equipped to deal with daily life, especially at school; however, it’s important to be aware that children with autism have trouble understanding certain nuisances when it comes to language and communication. They may have trouble understanding humor, sarcasm, or puns, which can make it challenging for them to socialize and connect with their peers. It’s also important to be able to recognize whether your child may be dealing with issues such as bullying in school.

Changes to Routine May Go Awry

Children with autism thrive on routine. So if little things throw off their schedule, even exciting things like a spontaneous trip to the aquarium, it’s important to be aware that your child may be upset, cry or throw a tantrum. Our developmental pediatrician, therapists, and other members of your child’s treatment team can teach your child coping strategies and behaviors to help them handle these last-minute changes. 

Developmental Pediatrics of Central Jersey in Monmouth County, NJ, provides comprehensive pediatric medical care and is proud to serve children and teens all over the state of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. If you’re concerned about autism, call our office today at (732) 660-0220 to schedule an evaluation with our developmental pediatrician, Dr. Smoller.

Know the warning signs of childhood autism.

Does my child have autism? It’s one of the leading questions we get here at our practice. We understand that if you have a child that is displaying odd behaviors or developmental delays that you may be concerned about whether or not they have autism. Our developmental pediatrician Dr. Alison Smoller has worked with countless families throughout Monmouth County, NJ, providing comprehensive diagnoses and care to children and teens with autism.

Catching autism early on in your child’s life is incredibly important for making sure they get the specialty care they need to stay healthy and to make academic and social environments a success. The symptoms of autism range from mild to severe, and they affect a child’s behaviors, interactions, and cognition. Symptoms may start to appear as early as 12 months but the majority of cases aren’t diagnosed by a professional until after 24 months.

The very early signs of autism to appear in infants and toddlers include:

• Not making eye contact
• Not smiling when others smile at them
• Not pointing at or gesturing to objects
• Not responding to cuddling or not wanting to be touched
• Not mocking or imitating movements or facial expressions
• Not responding to someone when they call their name

Children go through so many small developmental stages including babbling, gesturing, smiling, speaking, or imitating what other people say. Children with autism may not pick up any of these typical infant and toddler behaviors.

Furthermore, children with autism may not show interest in other children or may have trouble playing “pretend” or being imaginative. Once children begin to speak you may start to pick up certain habits and behaviors that could also be a sign of autism. These signs include:

• A monotone voice that doesn’t change in cadence or pitch
• Repeating certain words over and over again
• Trouble understanding cliches and certain expressions
• May take jokes or sarcasm literally
• Facial expressions that are inappropriate or don’t coincide with what they are saying

Children with autism may also have trouble changing or adapting their schedules and may become upset or angry when their schedules are altered. Trust your gut; if your child is displaying any of these signs of autism it’s a good idea to turn to our Monmouth County, NJ, development pediatrician for a proper evaluation. After all, you’re in the best position to be able to dictate whether the behaviors or habits your child is displaying seem unusual and may require further evaluation.

Developmental Pediatrics of Central Jersey proudly serves patients from all over the state of New Jersey including Pennsylvania. If you are interested in scheduling an autism evaluation with our Monmouth County Ocean, NJ, developmental pediatrician, call our practice today at (732) 660-0220.