Autistic features in newborns often involve differences in social interaction, communication, and sensory responses, such as limited eye contact, not smiling at caregivers, delayed babbling or response to their name, poor imitation of sounds/movements, unusual reactions to sensory input (sounds, textures), and a lack of interest in interactive games like peek-a-boo. While these signs become clearer in the first year, parents should consult a pediatrician if they notice developmental concerns, as early intervention is crucial.
Autism in newborns refers to the presence of early signs and symptoms of ASD within the first few months of life. While definitive diagnosis typically occurs later, heightened awareness of potential indicators in newborns is crucial for early intervention and support.
Signs of autism in children
Though autism is often not diagnosed until the age of three, some children begin to show signs of developmental delay before they turn a year old.
The early warning signs for an ASD include concerns about a child's social skills, communication, and restricted or repetitive patterns of behaviors, interests, activities, and emotional regulation.
Around 90% of autism cases are attributed to genetic factors, meaning autism is highly heritable, with many different genes contributing, rather than a single cause, often interacting with environmental influences during early brain development, though specific environmental factors don't cause it but can increase risk. Twin studies show strong genetic links, with concordance rates between 60-90% in identical twins, and research points to complex interactions of many genes and prenatal/perinatal factors.
Infants with autism appear to have limited eye contact, social attention and responsiveness 11, are less likely to engage in vocal or motor imitation 12, and may have problems with regulation of arousal and unusual responses to sensory stimuli 12.
People with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests. People with ASD may also have different ways of learning, moving, or paying attention. It is important to note that some people without ASD might also have some of these symptoms.
The "6-second rule" for autism is a communication strategy where a speaker pauses for about six seconds after asking a question or giving information, giving the autistic person extra time to process it without feeling rushed, which helps reduce anxiety and allows for a more thoughtful response, reducing frustration for both parties. Instead of repeating or rephrasing, which can be confusing, you wait, and if needed, repeat the exact same words after the pause.
Reaching to one's own forehead in response to a marked mirror image has traditionally been conceptualized as an important, initial measure of self awareness (the mirror self recognition test, or MSR, e.g. Gallup, 1970) and it typically emerges between the ages of 18 and 24 months (Bertenthal and Fischer, 1978).
Making little or no eye contact. Difficulty in following objects with their eyes. Hearing their name does not produce a response. Having limited or no reaction to loud sounds, or not turning their head to locate sounds.
There is not just one cause of ASD. Many different factors have been identified that may make a child more likely to have ASD, including environmental, biologic, and genetic factors.
Babies with autism smile but may not smile as much as babies without autism. Typically, a baby will smile back at you as early as six weeks, but certainly by four months. Children with autism tend to lack social smiling in response to your gestures.
Seem overly fussy or be difficult to soothe. Children at risk for autism might cry or tantrum more often than other children. They might also begin to cry or fuss without an obvious trigger and/or not be soothed by common calming practices.
Physical Symptoms:
Clear Indicators Your Toddler Is Not Autistic
They may initiate and respond to social cues, such as smiling, making eye contact, and showing interest in others. Additionally, they may demonstrate an understanding of basic social rules, such as taking turns and sharing toys.
Chinning is a form of repetitive self-stimulatory behavior (stimming) that you may notice in children or adults with autism. It involves pressing, rubbing, or holding the chin against objects, surfaces, or even hands to gain sensory input or comfort.
Main signs of autism
"Looping" in autism, often called "autism looping," is a non-clinical term for getting stuck in repetitive thought patterns, questions, or phrases, like a broken record, often due to anxiety, sensory overload, or a need for resolution, making it hard to switch focus and causing stress, overlapping with perseveration and rumination. It can manifest as replaying conversations, worrying intensely, or repeating sounds/words (echolalia) as a way to process or self-regulate.
For newborns (0 to 3 months), the early signs of autism are similar to those observed in infants. These include limited eye contact, lack of social smiling, and delayed motor development [1]. Additionally, a decrease in eye contact starting from around 2 months of age could also be an early indicator of ASD.
Signs of autism in infants 1 to 3 months old
Limited engagement with caretakers: Babies may not respond to social cues like cooing or gestures such as waving and clapping. Reduced eye contact: Babies may avoid eye contact during activities like nursing and may be fussier and harder to comfort than neurotypical infants.
Research tells us that autism tends to run in families, and a meta-analysis of 7 twin studies claim that 60 to 90% of the risk of autism comes from your genome. If you have a child with autism, you are more likely to have another autistic child. Your other family members are also more likely to have a child with ASD.
The Autism Observation Scale for Infants (AOSI) was developed to detect and monitor signs of autism in 6–18-month-old high-risk infants, all with an older sibling with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The AOSI is a reliable measure of early signs of ASD.
Several genes seem to be involved in autism spectrum disorder. For some children, autism spectrum disorder can be related to a genetic condition, such as Rett syndrome or fragile X syndrome. For other children, genetic changes, also known as mutations, may raise the risk of autism spectrum disorder.
The behavioral symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often appear early in development. Many children show symptoms of autism by 12 months to 18 months of age or earlier. Some early signs of autism include: Problems with eye contact.