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“ It ’ s about labelling their presenting behaviours so we can work to minimise the effects of these behaviours on the developing child ,” she says .
“ We want to maximise children ’ s outcomes , that ’ s why we push for an early diagnosis .
“ You could be changing that child ’ s life , and clinicians saying to the parents – let ’ s see how he is in six months , is absolutely careless because six months in the life of a developing infant ’ s brain is a long time .
“ The brain is shaped by the environment , by the input that child receives . Six months is a very long time if that brain isn ’ t receiving the necessary social input it needs to grow and develop and to be able to learn .”
The early signs of autism spectrum disorder :
What to look out for . Typically developing babies aged 12 to 24 months start pointing things out , gesturing and vocalising while looking at people as they engage with others , and also imitate other people . “ A young baby with autism doesn ’ t imitate and vocalise in the same way , doesn ’ t share their looks and smiles with other people as often as babies without autism ,” Professor Dissanayake says . “ It ’ s not that they ’ re not smiling but when they are smiling they don ’ t look up to share that smile , to share their world , which is what a typically developing baby does .”
Trust your instincts . Parents know their child best and often know when to be concerned about their child ’ s development . Well-meaning family , friends and even health professionals often reassure worried parents which can delay an early diagnosis .
Take action . Professor Dissanayake advises any parents concerned about their child ’ s development to visit their maternal and child health nurse , their GP or their paediatrician . “ If they ’ re still not reassured then don ’ t give up –
be proactive ,” she says . “ We get second opinions on our cars , why aren ’ t we getting second and third opinions on things that are much more important to us ?”
Psychologists can help . Psychologists work as part of a team of health professionals to provide an autism diagnosis and to provide ongoing therapy for the child and their family . The APS
Find a Psychologist Service can assist . The online , telephone and email referral service puts you in touch with more than 2,400 psychologists across Australia .