Autism in Kids: What Every Parent Needs to Know
If you’ve ever wondered whether your child’s behaviour is part of normal development or something more, you’re not alone. Recognising autism in kids can feel overwhelming, but early awareness is the first step toward meaningful support. At Cadabams CDC, we’ve spent over three decades helping families understand and navigate this journey with confidence and hope. In this guide, we’ll break down the early signs, explain the assessment process, and share everyday strategies you can start using today.
How to Spot Early Signs of Autism in Kids
Social Communication Red Flags
- Limited eye contact or avoiding it altogether
- Not responding to their name by 12 months
- Few or no shared smiles, gestures, or pointing by 18 months
- Difficulty with back-and-forth conversation, even simple babble; this can sometimes be confused with ADHD vs. speech and language impairments.
Repetitive Behaviours & Sensory Differences
- Lining up toys or objects in very precise ways
- Hand-flapping, rocking, or spinning for long periods
- Extreme reactions to sounds, textures, or lights, which can be explored further when looking at ADHD vs. sensory processing disorder.
- Eating only foods with a specific texture or colour Tip: Download our free “Early Signs Checklist” from Cadabams CDC to track your observations before your next paediatric visit. A comprehensive view is often needed to distinguish conditions, such as in ADHD vs. Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Understanding the Assessment Process
Step 1: Initial Screening (10–15 minutes)
Your paediatrician or family doctor will use a short questionnaire such as the M-CHAT-R. If the score indicates risk, they’ll refer you to a specialist.
Step 2: Comprehensive Evaluation
- Developmental History: Parents answer questions about pregnancy, milestones, and behaviour as part of a developmental assessment for ADHD.
- Structured Play: Specialists watch how your child interacts, communicates, and plays. This is a component of many approaches, including play therapy for ADHD.
- Speech & Language Tests: Assessing both understanding and expression of language. Cadabams CDC offers a one-stop ADHD clinic where all these steps happen under one roof, reducing waiting times and stress.
Everyday Support Strategies for Parents
At Home
- Create Predictability: Use picture schedules for morning routines. Such structure is often part of behavioural therapy for ADHD.
- Label Emotions: Point out feelings in books or cartoons (“Look, Peppa is excited!”).
- Celebrate Small Wins: A shared smile deserves praise just as much as a spoken word. This positive reinforcement is key in parental support for ADHD.
At School
- Share your child’s “sensory profile” with teachers—e.g., “He covers his ears during assembly.” Effective collaboration with schools for ADHD is vital.
- Request seating away from noisy corridors.
- Ask for visual instructions alongside verbal ones, a common strategy in special education for ADHD.
Play & Social Skills
- Peer Buddies: Pair your child with one understanding classmate at a time.
- Turn-taking Games: Simple board games like “Snakes and Ladders” teach waiting, a skill often honed in group therapy for ADHD.
- Social Stories: Short, personalised stories that explain what to expect at birthday parties or supermarkets. These can be developed with a child counsellor for ADHD.
When to Seek Professional Help
Seek guidance if you notice:
- Loss of previously acquired speech or social skills. It's important to understand the distinctions between conditions like ADHD vs. social communication disorder.
- Your child is not using gestures like pointing or waving by 18 months
- Sleep disturbances or severe feeding issues that affect growth. It's helpful to see how these compare with ADHD vs. sleep disorders in children. Cadabams CDC’s Early Intervention Clinic accepts referrals from parents directly—no GP letter needed. Our early intervention for ADHD program provides a pathway to connect with the right professionals for ADHD.