Good day everyone. Welcome back to SEG center. If you haven’t already, please take the time out to explore our website. I am sure the information you find on our website will bless you in a mighty way. Today’s blog topic is an educational topic on when the symptoms of autism are usually noticed. More specifically when should you seek help. The purpose of SEG center is to empower parents and caregivers who are caring for children already diagnosed with autism but the unfortunate reality is that some of us get the diagnosis as early as 18 months old,while others get the diagnosis much later and feel like they are behind the eight months ball. This delay could be due to a host of reasons such as parents being in denial or refusing to acknowledge the obvious, or not having access to care or services, or improper guidance by healthcare professionals. Whatever the case, let’s go back to what the guidelines say.
What were the first signs of autism you noticed?
AAP recommendation
– The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that ALL children be screened for ASD at ages 18 and 24 months along with regular developmental surveillance. The diagnosis of ASD should be made by a licensed healthcare professional that uses a clinical evaluation that supports the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5) criteria as well as history and observation of characteristic behaviors.
Jayson’s journey began at 18 months when his pediatrician voiced concerns about Jayson not meeting certain developmental milestones. After a list of tests were done to rule out other developmental conditions, Jayson received his diagnosis when he was 2 years and 7 months old. To sum it all up, if you are a parent who hasn’t yet gotten the diagnosis but deep down inside you know something is “off,” please please please get the evaluation. Reach out to a licensed professional who has the training and tools to help you navigate through the complicated world of developmental conditions. Get help now, do not delay. Whether your child is 9 months or 24 months old and has not yet met certain milestones, get your child screened. Though, yes I am a firm believer every child grows, talks, walks, feeds themselves etc at their own due time, but we must also look pass this to ensure that our children end up as well equipped adults! It is never too early to begin screening. Researchers have reported behavioral signs of autism as early as 6 months of age. I have met parents with children who were diagnosed with ASD as early as 16 months of age. Leave a comment below telling us when your kiddo received his/her diagnosis. Let me end with delay in screening means delay in diagnosis which means more delay in cognitive improvement.
I pray this blesses you.
Take care,
M.J.