Aspergers Symptoms in Infants, Toddlers, and Older Children
Aspergers (high functioning autism) consists of problems with socializing and communication with others. While the average age of diagnosis of Aspergers in kids is around age 7 to 9, recent research regarding early warnings signs may enable clinicians to diagnosis prior to 12 months.
Aspergers Symptoms in Infants—
Many infants and toddlers exhibit signs or symptoms of Aspergers from time to time; however, this may reflect normal youngster behavior. Failure to meet expected developmental milestones doesn’t necessarily reflect a symptom of Aspergers. With these facts in mind, symptoms of Aspergers may be detected in infancy.
• Early Signs— Kids generally attain certain developmental milestones within the first year of life. Some of these include unassisted standing, crawling, and simple gestures, including waving. Some kids with Aspergers fail to attain these milestones within the first year, potentially serving as an early warning sign. Within the first several months of life, an infant with Aspergers may fail to interact appropriately with his environment. These infants may avoid eye contact and interactions, prefer solitude, and avoid attention and affection. Later in infancy, some kids with Aspergers may show problems reacting with activities and objects. These kids may over react or fail to react at all. Initial signs of repetitive behaviors may emerge at this time as well, such as rocking.
• Abnormal Non-Verbal Communication— Babies with Aspergers might exhibit abnormal methods of non-verbal communication. Normally, a youngster will look another person in the eye and have appropriate facial expressions or exhibit predictable body postures or gestures. Infants will not look at people speaking to them or react to auditory stimuli. They will have subdued facial expressions. Body posture, or body language, will be noticeably abnormal in babies with the disorder.
• Lack of Social Skills— A problem with the development of social skills is one of the most common symptoms of Aspergers. This manifests as an inability to communicate properly with others. Infants and toddlers will exhibit this symptom by showing delays in social development. Babies may not exhibit a social smile until much later on in their life. Infants may totally ignore the voices of the moms and dads or strangers, or conversely cry and become irritable when confronted with any form of social contact. As the youngster ages, the lack of normal social skills becomes more apparent.
• Language Development— A key difference between autism and Aspergers is the normal development of language found in kids with Aspergers. By 12 months, a youngster should begin saying single words, including kids with Aspergers. The Aspergers child’s first words are often unusual despite reaching this developmental milestone. More complex words, such as "mountain" or "sheetrock" tend to emerge before simpler words, such as "Mama" or "Dada."
• Obsession with Complex Topics— Young kids with Aspergers may become obsessed with complex topics, such as intricate patterns or music. Toddlers will become enraptured by a stylized pattern on a fabric or in a book. Babies may also listen to music that would typically be ignored by a normal youngster. This obsession becomes more apparent as the youngster ages. These children may be unable to focus on any other aspect of the environment once they notice the object of their obsession. Behavioral conditioning will be necessary to help alleviate this symptom.
• Poor Coordination— Uncoordinated movements are a common symptom in Aspergers. Kids may be seen moving clumsily and be unable to coordinate movements of the hands or feet. They might exhibit an odd posture or have a stiff, rigid gait. Infants may show a delay in learning how to crawl or walk, and may also exhibit a delay in fine motor movements, such as grasping an object.
• Reflex Abnormalities— Infants with Aspergers appear to demonstrate abnormal reflexes versus normal kids. Kids with Aspergers tend to exhibit a persistence of the asymmetrical tonic neck reflex beyond their fourth month of life, when the reflex generally disappears. When infants 4 months and older without Aspergers roll over, they turn in the same direction as their head is facing. Asymmetrical tonic neck reflex is the opposite of this; the infant turns over in the opposite direction to where the head is facing. Kids with Aspergers in general continue to show other reflexes that disappear in other kids at the same age. Additionally, they may lack reflexes that should develop by a certain age, such as the head-verticalization reflex at 6 to 8 months. An infant who has developed this reflex will maintain his head in a vertical position when his body is tilted. Infants with Aspergers show delays in this reflex; their heads will tilt along with their bodies. Detection of these reflex problems in infants requires assessment by professionals trained in special techniques.
• Intervention— Detecting Aspergers is crucial in improving the long-term outcomes for these kids. Prevention of later life problems, such as mental illness, social illness, and underemployment, may be avoided with early intervention. Therefore, knowledge of early symptoms of Aspergers disorder in infants remains paramount in mitigating outcomes for these kids.
Aspergers Symptoms in Toddlers—
Toddlers (approximately ages 1 to 4), may not show specific symptoms, but certain behavioral abnormalities may be noted.
• Communication— Unlike toddlers with autism, a toddler with Aspergers generally does not experience difficulties in language development and speech. Vocabulary is often advanced in toddlers with Aspergers, though as language develops, moms and dads may notice that the youngster has difficulty properly using their vocabulary. Toddlers may talk incessantly about one subject, without acknowledging the listener.
• Delayed Concept of Joint Attention— The idea of joint attention is the rather abstract concept that two individuals (e.g., the toddler and his parent) can be focused on the same thing. An example of joint attention is looking at a picture in a book together. A toddler with Aspergers may have a hard time getting this concept.
• Delayed Pointing— One of the developmental milestones of the first year of life is to be able to point to a desired object. By one year of age, a youngster will probably be pointing to objects that interest him. However, a toddler with Aspergers may not reach this milestone until later.
• Delayed Use of Gestures— Actions such as waving or giving a toy when asked seem like simple tasks. However, to a youngster with Aspergers, these simple gestures may not occur "on schedule" and may instead be delayed. This is because such gestures involve interaction between the youngster and another individual; such social interactions are difficult for the youngster with Aspergers.
• Motor Skills— Problems with motor skills are a common symptom of Aspergers. Delayed learning in playing catch, potty training, learning to ride a bike or walking on tip toes are usually noticeable in kids by the age of 3. Their movement may be described as clumsy or uncoordinated. While symptoms are sometimes noticeable as early as infancy, many moms and dads sense something different about a youngster with Aspergers by the youngster's 3rd birthday. In some cases, early language skills are retained, but the lag in motor development may be the first sign that something is different than "typical" 3-year-old behavior.
• Nonverbal Communication— Abnormalities in nonverbal communication are often apparent in kids with this condition. A lack of eye contact may occur accompanied by limited facial expressions which correspond with words the toddler is speaking. The youngster may also exhibit unusual body movements and gestures.
• Preoccupation— One of the most apparent symptoms of Aspergers in toddlers is their intense interest in a single topic, such as trains or maps. Kids with Aspergers want to know and spend a lot of time trying to learn about their hobby or interest, and they may use an advanced vocabulary and exhibit a high level of expertise on the subject. Some Aspergers toddlers need to establish rigid repetition and routine in their daily activities.
• Reading— Toddlers with Aspergers are often not diagnosed until later in childhood as they sometimes learn to read very early. The perceived advancement overshadows the fact that the youngster with Aspergers often cannot comprehend the words he is reading.
• Repetitive Behaviors— Repetitive interests and behaviors are defining components of the diagnosis of Aspergers. However, repetitive interests are actually quite normal in toddlers. While it is very difficult to determine with such young kids, some signs that behaviors and interests have crossed the line from "normal toddler who loves trucks" to "concerning toddler who seems too wrapped up in trucks" may be noted. These include a very specific interest (e.g., not just "trucks" but "the front bumper of trucks"); an interest that is unusual compared to his peers (e.g., a 3-year-old who intensely focuses on brooms); and an inability to shift focus from the area of interest to other things.
• Sensitivity to Stimuli— Some toddlers with Apsergers will have an unusual sensitivity to loud sounds or lights. They may also be bothered by other physical stimuli (e.g., they may be sensitive to the way certain clothing or material feels or need their socks to be on their feet in a particular way).
• Social Difficulties— Toddler’s with Aspergers usually have difficulty in social situations, such as when playing with other kids. This could be due to delayed motor skill development causing clumsiness, notes Toddlers Today. The interests of a toddler with Aspergers tend to be very limited, causing the youngster to have a very narrow focus of activities and interests.
• Social Skills— A common aspect of Aspergers is demonstrated by poor social interactions. Toddlers with Aspergers may seem to have one-sided social interaction and limited ability to form friendships. Non-verbal behaviors are also notable in these kids (e.g., unusual facial expressions, failure to gesture, aloofness or the inability to make eye contact). These symptoms become more apparent by the age of 3, and most kids are diagnosed between the ages of 5 and 9.
• Symptoms Related to an Associated Condition— Though there is still a lot of research that must be done, it seems that certain disorders may be associated with Aspergers (i.e., kids who have Aspergers may be at higher risk for having other disorders). For example, one study found that ADHD was often seen in a population of kids with Aspergers. So a toddler with Aspergers may also show symptoms of ADHD. Other conditions that have been found in kids with Aspergers include anxiety disorder and depression.
Aspergers Symptoms in Older Children—
Kids with Aspergers have deficits in three areas: communication, physical coordination and development of a range of interests. Aspergers is an autism spectrum disorder, meaning that it is on a continuum of development disorders that includes classic autism. Most kids with Aspergers are able to function with less difficulty than those with classic autism. A set of classic symptoms define Aspergers. A youngster with Aspergers may or may not display all of the symptoms listed below.
• Clumsiness— A youngster with Aspergers may seem clumsy and drop things. He may fall easily and try to avoid physical games that his peers are playing. He may have odd, repetitious movements or walk stiffly, as though he is in pain.
• Inadequate Math Skills— The youngster with Aspergers may have inadequate math skills, but will do well in vocabulary. He may have noted deficits in his ability to learn some subjects, but will speak like an expert about another. Learning abilities may vary greatly from child to child.
• Lack of Empathy— Although a youngster with Aspergers is not mean, he may seem to be oblivious to the feelings of others. If someone's pet dies, he may not show sympathy as other kids might. He may seem to be interested in himself only, but does not purposefully do cruel things. H may seem emotionally immature for his age.
• Limited Non-Verbal Communication— A lack of eye contact when communicating is a sign of Aspergers. The youngster may have few facial expressions, and he may stare into space while speaking. He may make few gestures while speaking and adopt an odd body posture. He may not watch the facial expressions or body posture of the person who is speaking with him. The youngster with Aspergers may not seem to pick up on humor or any speech that is not direct, such as sarcasm or the use of figures of speech.
• Obsessive Interests— Another sign of Aspergers is obsessive interests. The Aspergers child may hone in on one or two topics and devote an extraordinary amount of time to studying them, looking at them or talking about them. This topic may vary, with some examples including an object, a musical score, an animal, the weather, sports history or visual patterns. He may seem uninterested in any other subjects, and most of the conversations he begins may be about his topic of interest.
• Unusual Speech— A youngster with Aspergers may have an unusual speech pattern, as though he is reading what he is saying. His voice may remind you of a robot, or he may have a monotone, as if he is depressed. His speech may seem overly formal or well thought out, instead of spontaneous. Alternatively, he may speak rapidly, without noticing that others speak more slowly.
More resources for parents of children and teens with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism:
==> Preventing Meltdowns and Tantrums in Asperger's and HFA Children
==> Discipline for Defiant Asperger's and HFA Teens
==> Teaching Social Skills and Emotion Management
==> Launching Adult Children with Asperger's and HFA: How to Promote Self-Reliance
==> Everything You'll Ever Need to Know About Parenting Asperger's Children
==> Parenting Children and Teens with High-Functioning Autism
==> AudioBook: Unraveling The Mystery Behind Asperger’s and High-Functioning Autism
==> Parenting System that Reduces Problematic Behavior in Children with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism
Comments
I just love your blog. I learn so much from it!
As a toddler, I found that her speech was delayed until she was at least 2 1/2 and when she did start talking, she never said obvious words like 'mama'. Her speech was inaudible as she was speaking in her own language and she needed speech therapy. She was not understood until she was 5.
Since then, I've had concerns. Her social skills have always been delayed and even now she relies on me to help her with various things even though she is 11. She finds it hard to make friends, cannot maintain eye contact with others, has various sensory problems (e.g cannot wear her hair in any other style, will not wear tights or trousers due to their feel etc). She has major anxiety and she also fails to realise when things she sees are fictional such as cartoons. She gets very upset when anything around her environment or circumstances change. Overall, she is very immature for her age and other children often call her wierd and tease her by trying to tell her that something bad is going to happen to her such as the world is going to end ( and she believes it)
Her problems have always been considered as emotional as her dad suffers from anxiety and depression and it was felt that this was affecting her emotional development. However, she has had various interactions and had tests done that revealed that she seems largely unaffected by her father's problems. This has left me considering that her symptoms are being caused by something else that she has no control over.
I have been waiting a year to get her referred for tests but no one in the medical profession seems interested. I am finding it increasingly hard to deal with my daughters behaviours and I need to find out some answers. Can anyone out there offer me any advice please??
Many thanks
Resource: http://www.onlineceucredit.com/youtube/asperger-skills-ep5.html
I would not wait. My son is three and has just been diagnosed with aspergers. He was originally misdiagnosed at 18mo as having sensory issues, but when the original recommendations on how to deal with it failed and he started escalating, I demanded a reevaluation. It took almost two years to be heard, but finally I was. They have done EEGs, MRIs, speech testing (his speech is very formal) and other testing and the local elementary school has done their own testing with child psychologists. The determination, after months of rigorous tests, is that he most definitely has aspergers. It is best if they find the real problem as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the harder it is to help them later on. If you even have a possible aspie, it is best for her to find out as soon as possible.
My suggestion is to get your child tested both at school and the doctor. The more opinions you have the better. It is the most commonly misdiagnosed condition that I know of and, as moms, we have to push and trust our gut to get our kids help.
In my case, it was hard for me to be heard on my son's behalf and I have a hard time making myself heard. I've always known that I might have aspergers myself, but by the time I realized it was a possiblity I had it, I felt it was too late to get help. I did not know it was a (possibly) genetic condition that I could pass on.
My son has always been exceptional to the point of abnormal and I was shocked to realize very very early in his life that I had no normal boy on my hands. He spoke his first word at 3 months. His first sentence at 6mo. For a while, everything was normal except that I had a very young baby that could talk.
Then he started to obsess... He would line up his toys, starting at 9 months, and arrange them by color and size. Over and over for hours he would do this. Then came foreign language. Japanese, Chinese, German... he learned faster than I could keep up teaching him. I was, and am, extremely proud.
At 18 months, we hit a turning point... his world seemed to crumble at the slightest change in schedule. If I made him the wrong food for lunch, he would go into screaming fits that lasted hours! (the longest fit lasted 12 hours until he finally passed out)
I thought "how did he get so spoiled?! What did I do wrong?!" But soon it was babies crying, cars starting, washing machines, bright lights, the wrong television show, trying to redirect his interests..... all would set him off. And when the fit was done? Poof! Forgotten. He didn't want to talk about it, claimed he didn't remember what had just happened, and that was that. Back to his obsessions and rituals.
My 4 yr old son has Autism, not severe. He doesnt talk, but tries makin the sounds. He will say, "no", "baby", etc. He says a few words, but always has. Very sensitive to loudness. He plays well with other kids, but more so he does his own thing, he dont get the "relations" of playin, but will roll a ball back and forth. He gets ticked easy too. Not potty trained yet. Sleeps well. Eats like crap and eats like a year old with messes. He always always always smiles for people. He isnt afraid of adults and socializes fine. He makes weird faces from time to time.
He has a slight speech problem, just with s's and L's etc.
He met all milestones on time. but he is very hyper, always running around the house, bouncing up and down. He does get up on his toes at times but it is normally when he is bouncing around.
His attention span is not very good. Especially with things he doesn't like example sports.
On the soccer field all the other kids are so much better. I am hoping this is him just not liking sports.
Could my son just be very unathletic and hate sports, or should I be concerned, with him being the only one looking at his shadow and not chasing after the ball?
Should we go to the doctor's now? or wait to see how he does in school?
Thanks for your time
Our son just turned 4. We are waiting for his assessment which will take place in 2 weeks time.
I always knew he's a bit different but at times asked myself if I'm just spoiling him too much? He is very obssesed with certain things and knows so much about those things. he lines up his toys. His speech is delayed and although he talk he can't say "s" and "l".he hates Bath/shower because he can't stand having wrinkly fingers. I couldn't get him in to a short sleeve last summer.he likes his routine.
He gives us plenty of eye contact and cuddles too. He's quite short temper but also gets happy really quick.
He loves to put his hands or objects in front of my face/eyes.
Thank you for this blog.
Makes you feel not alone.
Therapy ? Or regular private pre school.He learnt and improved leaps and bounds with inhome therapy in just 2 months.
please share your opinion.
My son started behavioral therapy at age 4 as well. Its a good age and adequate time to allow for thorough observation. These are only opinions remember. He was diagnosed with ADHD/ADD at age 6. If he missed his med in the morning the teacher could tell, that's how hard it is for him. He takes impulse control medication that we are just trying out. We first thought and I still think he has Violent Aspergers. I've come to recognize a lot of his triggers so at least at home with me, his episodes are less. He lacks fine motor skills.He's 9 but can't but buttons through holes or button his pants. Being self aware, as Aspergers children are, we have to deal and combat this feeling of self loathing, anxiety, and shame they get knowing they are different and can't do things like others. In my sons case, like even his little sister. At school his handwriting never improved from the first grade level although he can spell just fine. The main reason, I think they don't think that he has Aspergers is BC they are using the outdated checklist. The disability definitions and guidelines, I forget the exact technical name, have been updated recently due to advancements from studies. When picking a specialist, you need to ask how and where they do their continuing education to keep degreed. That really makes a big difference with all of these older doctors.My son was tested just this week BC he's been at the alternative campus for a couple of months and still kept getting time extensions due to His fits. They were making him rewrite giant packets and his hands physically hurt. Even though his therapist called and finally after playing hard ball and phone tag I stopped that. He hates outside. Eats like a bird. His IQ is 122 which is pretty high for a kid who hasn't been learning in school. He's bored but can't got to gifted and talent BC his behavior is "bad" and most of those kids have no siblings n don't understand Haidens outburst, I was told. I was told(its against the law for a teacher or school official besides the school district t specialist to offer a diagnosis) that he had dysgraphia- writing disorder. As a baby the only odd things my son did was army crawl very fast preferred to everything, and he hated affection, actually pushing me away. His paternal grandmother, and paternal aunts all have mental disabilities. I suspect his father does as well but is scared to get tested. Haiden doesn't react emotionally the same to things going on in his environment. He's never had a single real friend. Officially I was told that they think he has Oppositional Defiance Disorder.
In grade school, he was noted as struggling somehow, but after a 'team' diagnosed him at the school, it was determined he had no social problems, no problem in any way - sweetheart of a kid, just "learned differently". So he was placed in a step program where they kept the classroom small and 'spoon-fed' the teachings. Four years, he was in that program and he graduated from 5th grade with his peers. In high school, he struggled and it took the 5th year to graduate. With the thrill of that accomplishment, my son (being an intricate artist - especially talented with pen and ink drawings) went on to get his Bachelor's degree in Illustration at a prestigious Art college. This again, took the 5th year to graduate as he made his thesis too complicated. My husband had to tutor him through his electives throughout the first four years because those overwhelmed him... my husband (not his father) was the only person my son allowed to help him. We were incredibly proud and relieved to see our young man so accomplished!
I guess the tears come because through all of this, I NEVER received a labeled diagnosis that I could work with!! NO ONE ever mentioned aspergers. I knew something was different. and I often wished there was something I could point towards; instead, I thought maybe I was parenting wrong! I blamed myself for any delays or 'differences' I saw. I never even heard of aspergers! It wasn't until just over 2 years ago that I read a mother's blog on her autistic daughter that it triggered slight similarities I recongnized. So I began to research a little and stumbled on aspergers. When I read the symptoms, I wept. For the first time, I began to wonder ,... what if?
I have left it alone for the most part, I don't know how to tell my son what I have discovered because he HATES being labeled, and doesn't want to be seen as different. So I have to be cautious that I don't put somethign in his head that will make him think less of himself. Meanwhile, peers and family wonder what's wrong witht your kid!! He behaves inappropriately at times - socially - says things that don't fit etc. and I can't say anything because I don't want my son to hear anyone label him. So I continue to advise him to watch the things he says, and "know your audience, son". But he doesn't get it. He makes sweeping comments, offensive comments etc and doesn't 'get it'.
I just watched a powerful movie called "Temple Grandin", and although she had more severe autism... it moved my heart to see the truggles she endured albeit went on to college to earn up a doctorate degree.
I came to my computer to see if I missed infant/toddle signs in my son and sure enough ... here they are. I weep for him. I weep for the signs I missed. I weep For myself and the struggles the two of us had. All of it. A part of me is grateful that I never knew because I never treated him as different. I had to work harder and differently with him, but I never saw a disability and never spoke of it. But another part would of me would have loved to know this, so I can handle things in a way he would better understand. So I could understand differently and so I could help explain the different behaviours to my family and peers and educators.
My son is currently employed as a flooring salesman and does independent interior home designing .. lives near close family independently, and I am incredibly proud of him. Overall, he is as normal as the day is long. But every now and then ... the differences show up still today. As the movie I just saw noted ... "you are different, but not less."
Our kids can accomplish BIG things if we believe in them! Maybe it's best I never knew..
I'm sure there will be many challenges for my son and for us, his family. I'm hoping that with diagnosis comes understanding of how to deal with the difficulties he'll face. But I'm just as excited about being his mother as I am about my other son.
I've been told that all of Nate's (my son) behaviors are typically Aspergers. He's just turned three and like your son he doesn't talk but is obsessed with words and spelling. I've made him lots of letters out of cardboard and play dough and stuff like that, and he communicates through that. For example, he'll write 'green day revolution radio' if he wants to hear that song. He's started having meltdowns if he can't find the right letter though. He really tries to talk but can't do sounds outside of mamama or dadada.
I don't know what country you're in but in Australia I'm finding that the more I look for professional help, the more I find. Don't be afraid to ask doctors/specialists for what you need, as your son needs you to get the help that you need. You'll probably also need help to save your sanity because I know how exhausting and frustrating it is when they're having their meltdowns or when they can't tell you what's wrong.
The letters I've made have really helped us, and also routine.
It's really nice to know there's someone out there going through such a similar unique situation. If you'd like talk more and/or trade tips I'm happy to give you my email address.
Good luck with your little boy. I hope you find a good doctor. A good one should refer you to a paediatrician or childhood intervention team.
Best wishes.
Since I began the diagnosis process I've received so many great tips to deal with the meltdowns. For example, ASD kidsvreally respond to some sort of sensory distraction when they're upset. My son likes to be held very close and rocked and sung to. Or he likes cold things so I lie him down on a cold surface. And routine really helps. I think the most important point is that these little ones will not be forced to do anything so we have to find out what works for them.
I really hope the young mum gets help. Even if it's only doing a bit of reading. Maybe you could get hold of an information booklet from a support service to leave with her. I really think diagnosis is half the battle. I hope it works out well for them.