The diagnosis of autism can be given at any age. The sooner autism is detected in a child, the sooner a child can start therapy. Depending on the signs, children can be diagnosed as early as 18 months. Some children will show signs of autism within the first 12 months of life. Other symptoms may not show up until after 24 months.
While every case is different, some common signs of autism are:
Limited to no eye contact
Avoiding social interactions or engaging
Delayed speech
Aggressive or self-injury behavior
Non-responsive to his or her name
These delays should be closely monitored by doctors and parents. If a diagnosis of autism is determined therapy should begin as soon as possible. Research has shown that early intervention in ABA can help decrease autism features since the child’s brain is still in the early stages of development.
Not only should early intervention begin as soon as possible, but it is also recommended that an average of up to 30 hours a week of therapy is ideal. Children learn best during their earliest stages of life, therefore the more they can learn at a young age the fewer challenges they may have as they get older.
If your child has recently been diagnosed with autism, Leap Autism Therapy can work with you to put together an individualized plan for early intervention. Reach out to us today and we can get started on the assessment.
