Olivia Barredo
April 20, 2023

Becoming a parent is an exciting and challenging time, and when a child is diagnosed with autism in their first year of life, it can be especially overwhelming. But with the right information and support, parents can easily navigate this challenge and help their child thrive and reach their full potential. Staying informed and aware is imperative, and it is especially important to know what to look out for and how you can support your little one. In this article, we’ll explore what autism looks like in their first year of life, and share what doctors have said regarding where it comes from, and provide valuable insights on how to support your child’s development throughout this time.

 

What Causes Autism in Babies

 

While no studies have proven exactly what causes autism, many medical professionals have thought that the source of autism in babies may be a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Considering that autism has a number of diverse traits, many researchers believe that it may have multiple causes. Here are some of the possible reasons that may contribute to the development of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD):

 

• Genetics

 

• Exposure to particular environmental pollutants, such as air pollution caused by vehicles or pesticides

 

• Tuberous sclerosis and fragile X syndrome are examples of chromosomal disorders

 

• Some pregnancy drugs, such as thalidomide and valproic acid

 

• Being the child of older parents

 

• Birth weight underweight

 

• Oxygen deficiency during birth

 

• Mothers suffering from diabetes, obesity, or immunological diseases

 

• Immune illnesses, metabolic abnormalities, and variations in brain connection

 

Signs and Symptoms of Autism in Babies

 

During the first few months of life, babies are constantly learning and developing new skills, including social and communicative abilities. However, for some infants with autism, certain milestones may be delayed or absent altogether.

 

Babies age 0-3 months

 

Babies with autism  between the months of 0-3 months old may not follow moving objects with their gaze, which is common behavior for typically developing infants. Additionally, these babies may have an intolerance towards loud noises, and may not respond to their parents’ attempts to soothe them. 

 

Another sign would be their limited facial expressions, and struggling with facial recognition–particularly for new faces, which may impact their ability to form social bonds, even at that early of an age. 

 

Babies aged 4-7 months

 

Other developmental differences may become more noticeable in this stage of their year. Being disinterested in certain noises and their seeming absence of affection are two key indicators. Limited babbling, verbal expression, restricted facial expressions, and emotional responsiveness are also common, which can be particularly challenging for parents and other family members who are especially eager to engage with their child. Additionally, signs of limited motor skills are also important to look out for–they may not reach for objects or grab and hold things as other babies typically do.

 

Babies aged 8-12 months old

 

Giving your baby some time to catch up on their development of social and motor skills is always a good idea, but should you still have concerns, now is the time to pay closer attention to your child’s behavior. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that having a general developmental screening for children should begin at around 9 months of age. 

 

In this stage, infants with autism may not be able to crawl or stand independently, and may still seem unsteady on their feet even when supported. Maintaining eye contact and communicating will be a challenge–common gestures like waving and pointing will hardly be used, and their speech may be even more limited.

 

How to Support Your Child

 

Early intervention plays an important role in supporting and helping their child with autism, so seeking evaluation and therapy services as soon as possible can make a big difference. In the meantime, here are 2 things parents can do at home to help provide their child a supportive and structured environment at home: 

 

1. Imitation

 

Babies learn by watching and imitating the people around them, but this can be a bit different for those with autism. According to Dr. Geraldine Dawson, director of the Duke University Center for Autism and Brain Development, the imitation circuits in the brain may not function properly with babies with autism. 

 

With that being said, it is important for parents to imitate your baby’s actions and sounds to help build a stronger connection and stimulate those neural circuits. If your baby coos at you, don’t be afraid to coo at them in return! Shake rattles and play with stuffed animals together, as it can also be a fun and helpful way to encourage social interaction and learning.

 

2. Showing excitement

 

Another suggestion to help support your child is to show and express your enthusiasm, as it encourage their social and cognitive development. For example, try showing surprise and delight whenever a figure pops up while playing with a pop-up toy. Or if your child is playing with any random item, do show excitement about the object they’re entertaining themselves with. This type of sharing can not only help babies make sense of their environment, but also develop important joint attention skills. 

 

While a diagnosis of autism in a baby’s first year can seem daunting, it is important for parents to remember that there is both hope and help available. By staying informed and seeking out the right support and doing their best even at home, parents can play a vital role in their child’s development and well-being.