Are you concerned that your child may have autism? Interventions that can make a meaningful difference in your child's life are more likely to be successful if they're started as early as possible. Developmental pediatrician Dr. Alison Smoller proudly serves patients from all over New Jersey and Pennsylvania at Developmental Pediatrics of Central Jersey in Monmouth County, NJ, office. She shares a few signs that you may notice if your child has an autism spectrum disorder.

Autism signs in babies and toddlers

If your baby or toddler has an autism spectrum disorder, you may notice that your child doesn't:

• Smile by 6 months
• Respond to his or name by 12 months
• Attempt to speak or babble by 12 months
• Wave or point to objects by 12 months
• Speak any words by 16 months
• Enjoy cuddling
• Imitate your movements and facial expressions
• Make eye contact during feedings
• Play with others

Autism signs in older children

Autism spectrum signs can be difficult to spot in babies and toddlers, particularly for first-time parents. As your child grows older, the signs may be become more noticeable and might include:

• Difficulty making friends
• Lack of interest in the actions of other children or people
• An aversion to being touched or hugged
• Poor eye contact
• No interest in playing group games or those that involve pretending
• Trouble understanding other people's feeling or points of view
• Lack of response when people try to initiate a conversation
• An obsessive interest in certain topics, toys or objects
• Unusual speech patterns, incorrect use of language, or failure to speak
• Repeating words or phrases over and over
• Strange posture or an unusual gait
• Hand flapping, rocking or other self-stimulatory behavior
• Inability to understand humor and sarcasm or interpret facial expressions
• Difficulty following simple instructions
• Strong reactions to loud noises, textures or smells
• Emotional distress if there even small change to the regular routine

Keep in mind that the presence of one or more of these signs doesn't automatically mean that your child has an autism spectrum disorder. Confirming the diagnosis starts with a visit to our Monmouth County office for a thorough evaluation. If your child is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, we can recommend a variety of helpful therapies geared toward his or her specific diagnosis.

Does your child display any of these autism signs? If you live in New Jersey or Pennsylvania, schedule a visit with Monmouth County, NJ, developmental pediatrician, Dr. Smoller of Developmental Pediatrics of Central Jersey by calling (732) 660-0220.

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by communication problems, repetitive behaviors and social and cognitive impairments. Because it is a spectrum disorder, it can be mild or very severe and occur in all types of children. Your Monmouth County developmental pediatrician Dr. Alison Smoller at Developmental Pediatrics of Central Jersey, specializes in diagnosing autism in children of all ages.

Signs of Autism in Children

Some of the most common signs of autism include:

• Not responding to their name
• Not pointing to objects
• Avoiding eye contact
• Preferring to play alone
• Having difficulty understanding other people’s feelings
• Not learning to speak or being delayed in speech development
• Getting upset at changes
• Having obsessive tendencies and/or interests
• Having little to no social skills
• Being unable to answer questions directly
• Having extreme anxiety
• Being hyperactive
• Having a short attention span
• Being impulsive

With the help from your developmental pediatrician in Monmouth County, you can determine whether or not your child is autistic.

Screening for Autism

Development screening is a short test that can tell if a child has the learning basic skills that they should. During this screening, the parent will be asked some questions about the way their child acts and plays. A delay could be a sign of a problem. All children should be screened regularly at their regular well-child doctor visits starting at age 9 months until about 30 months. Additional screening may be required for a child at high risk for problems.

Your Monmouth County developmental pediatrician Dr. Alison Smoller at Developmental Pediatrics of Central Jersey in Oakhurst, NJ can help diagnose autism in children of all ages. We do comprehensive evaluations that include looking at the child’s behavior hands-on. We also offer recommendations for other medical testing if we see fit. To schedule a comprehensive evaluation call (732) 660-0220 today.

Autism receives a lot of media attention these days, and with good reason. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that in 2004, one in 125 children received a diagnosis of this complex brain condition. In 2015, diagnosed cases number one in 68 kids. According to the National Autism Association, the vast majority of autistic children are boys.

Parents in the Monmouth County area need information on the signs of autism. Dr. Alison Smoller DO, a developmental pediatrician, informs moms and dads of the signs of autism. Early recognition and treatment of symptoms in little ones predict a higher quality of life and better outcomes as children grow, develop and take their place in society as adults.

Signs of Autism

While autism is a developmental disorder with widely varying symptoms, Dr. Smoller points to several common signs that may indicate a diagnosis of autism. The signs center around a child's developmental milestones regarding social interaction, communication, and cognition--or thinking and learning. Because severity and presence of symptoms differ from child to child, autism is often called "a spectrum disorder." Parents, grandparents, and caregivers often see signs starting around age 3 but may not fully understand what they are noticing.

Symptoms of autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can include:

• poor communication skills for chronological age or complete lack of communication
• avoiding eye contact
• repetitive or ritualistic behaviors and inability to cope with change
• fixation on certain objects or toys
• lack of interest in friendships with children of the same age
• a desire to be alone
• lack of empathy towards other people
• not comprehending humor

Contrary to common belief, low intellectual skills do not indicate autism in every case. Many autistic people have normal to even high or very high intellectual function.

Additionally, certain pre-existing factors often point to autism--things such as low birth weight, premature delivery and having a close relative, such as a sibling, with autism or ASD.

Screening for Autism

Skilled developmental behavioral pediatricians such as Dr. Smoller at Developmental Pediatrics of Central New Jersey screen toddlers and young kids for signs of autism with a careful developmental checklist. While a lack of common communication skills such as waving goodbye, smiling and responding to his or her name may indicate the child has a problem, parents often sense that something is wrong even if many developmental milestones exist. They simply feel something is not quite right with their child. That is also a time to consult with Dr. Smoller about autism.

Contact the Office

If you worry about your child's behavior or development, contact Developmental Pediatrics of Central New Jersey for a personal consultation. Dr. Smoller trusts parental instincts and will fully discuss and evaluate any concerns you have. Call (732) 660-0220 for an appointment today.

According to recent reports, as many as one in sixty-eight children in the United States and one in forty-five children in New Jersey has autism these days. While this number may be startlingly high, the good news is that if you are one of the many Monmouth County residents whose child has autism, you are not alone and there is no need to try to cope on your own. Many doctors, researchers and parents have already found proven strategies that work, and you can benefit from them. Here are four ways you can help your child with autism, courtesy of Dr. Alison Smoller, D.O. of Developmental Pediatrics of Central Jersey.

1. Create Consistent Routines

For many children with autism, having a consistent routine allows them to feel safe and secure. They know just what to expect, and their brains don't have to struggle as hard to process extra information. Help your child feel more comfortable by creating a consistent daily schedule full of simple routines.

2. Limit Overwhelming Sights and Sounds

On a similar note, children with autism often become overwhelmed when placed in chaotic environments full of too many new sights and sounds. Even an environment that seems calm and manageable to you may be too much for your child to take in at once if it is all new. Help your child adjust by giving him or her a way to escape the situation, and by preparing your child in advance as much as possible.

3. Try New Things Slowly

Eventually, however, you will want your child to be able to try new things and go new places. The key to doing this successfully is to introduce new things slowly. Instead of forcing your child to eat a new meal he or she has never had before, try varying a favorite dish by adding one additional ingredient or by preparing it a slightly different way. By taking a baby steps approach, you will likely experience much greater success over the long haul.

4. Figure Out What Works for Your Child

Of course, what works best for another child with autism may not be what works best for your child. As the parent, you know what is best for your family. Take the advice of others and learn from their experiences, but ultimately you will need to figure out what works best for you.

Helping a child with autism can seem like an overwhelming task. Thankfully, there is help and hope. Call Dr. Smoller at Developmental Pediatrics of Central Jersey in Monmouth County to discuss additional ways you can best help your child with autism today.