Over the past 12 months, we’ve observed a remarkable rise in referrals to our clinic. What’s unusual about these referrals? They’re all for babies under the age of 12 months, with most being just 6-9 months old. These babies were referred due to early signs of autism.
Diagnosing Autism in Babies
It’s important to note that we don’t actually diagnose babies with autism. Instead, paediatricians and other professionals use the term ‘red flags for autism,’ indicating early signs of the condition. Research shows that early signs of autism can be detected in children between 12-18 months, and in some cases, as early as 6 months. Often, children showing early signs of autism are diagnosed with developmental delay.
Early Signs of Autism
Classic signs of autism in young children include:
- Reduced response to noises and people around them
- Limited eye contact
- Not responding to their name
- Not calling out or making sounds to get attention
- Lack of shared smiles
- Not imitating facial expressions or actions
- Limited pointing or gesturing
- Repetitive behaviors like hand flapping
- Unusual play with toys, such as lining them up
- Obsessive interests in specific toys, books, or videos
For more detailed information on the early signs of autism, please refer to our earlier post.
Who Recognised the Early Signs?
Interestingly, these referrals were made by parents who noticed the signs of autism in their babies. How did they know what to look for? Typically:
- The baby has an older sibling with autism.
- The family knows another young child with autism.
- The parent works in a professional field and is aware of autism signs.
- The parent has older children and noticed their baby did not engage similarly.
Most of these families either have a child with autism or know someone with the condition, prompting them to look for signs early on. As one mum said, “I’ve been through this before and will do everything I can to start early.”
GP and Paediatrician Involvement
GPs and paediatricians are essential in the autism journey. While we encourage families to maintain regular contact with their medical practitioners, it’s often the case that families are told to return in six months. Six months is a long time in a baby’s life and represents a crucial window of opportunity for brain development if the right interventions are used. Fortunately, we collaborate closely with two developmental paediatricians who refer young children showing early signs of autism.
Intervention for Babies
For babies showing early signs of autism, we use a modified version of the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM). The ESDM targets key features of autism that interfere with a child’s ability to learn, make friends, and participate in the world around them. Sally Rogers, a key researcher, published a paper in 2014 on using a modification of the ESDM in infants as young as 6 months, known as Infant Start.
Infant Start is a parent training model that has shown promising results. In a small study, children chosen due to having an older sibling with autism and showing early signs of autism participated in Infant Start. By age 3, only one child was diagnosed with autism, while the others did not meet the criteria for diagnosis.
Progress in Our Clinic
The children in our clinic are showing significant improvement, with reduced signs of autism. Two children are scheduled for developmental assessments in April when they will be over 18 months old. Parents appreciate the therapy sessions, enjoying the ability to use strategies during normal daily activities at home, and report better engagement and interaction with their babies. We recently received another referral for a 6-month-old, and we look forward to working with that family too.
Accessing Services and Funding for Babies
Babies are assessed for general development at 6 months of age. Some are diagnosed with developmental delay, especially if there is a delay in multiple areas such as communication, social skills, and play. A developmental delay diagnosis can make them eligible for certain services and funding. One family submitted an NDIS access request for their 7-month-old, and they were successful.
Research on Early Diagnosis
Research shows that early identification of autism leads to the best outcomes for children and their families. Early intervention improves language skills, cognitive skills, and reduces signs of autism. Additionally, early intervention leads to significant cost savings as the child gets older.
What to Do if You Suspect Early Signs of Autism
If you suspect your baby shows early signs of autism, contact an experienced professional who works with young children with autism regularly. This could be a developmental paediatrician, speech pathologist, or psychologist. We welcome calls from concerned parents, as we understand and work with the early red flags that present in young children with autism.
La Trobe University has developed an excellent app called ‘ASDdetect.’ It’s a free, evidence-based app that guides parents through a series of questions about their child’s development, with videos to help understand the early features of autism. The app provides recommendations regarding the need for assessment.
Accessing the ESDM for Babies
OneOnOne Children’s Therapy is located in Bondi Junction and Mascot in Sydney. Our team of ESDM therapists is trained to the highest levels of fidelity to improve children’s lives. Our Certified ESDM Therapists offer the modified ESDM for children under 12 months of age.
Contact Us
Call us at (02) 80657837
Email us to book a consultation
Together, we can help your child develop the skills they need to succeed and thrive in all areas of their life.
