April was National Autism Awareness Month and our team here at Bankers Fidelity is excited to talk about this subject for a few of our blog posts. Autism is one of the most misunderstood developmental disabilities, making it difficult for parents and relatives to know when to seek additional insight from a medical professional.
In recent years, doctors and researchers have changed the way that we talk about autism and diagnose it. Instead of considering it to be a specific disability with black-and-white warning signs, it’s better to think of autism as a condition that exists along a spectrum. Children who fall somewhere within the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can exhibit many different tip-offs that are related to communication skills, emotional skills, and behavioral skills.
If your son or daughter displays any of the following “red flags,” explained by the nonprofit organization Autism Speaks, be sure to contact your family pediatrician for a comprehensive evaluation:
1. By six months of age: Little or no emotional reactions to other people (E.g., smiling, laughing, or displaying other “warm” reactions)
2. By nine months of age: No mimicking of sounds, facial expressions, or smiles from other people; no response to their own names
3. By 12 months of age: No babbling (either when alone or when in the presence of other people)
4. By 12 months of age: No mimicking of simple gestures from other people (E.g., pointing, waving, reaching)
5. By 16 months of age: No meaningful words
6. By 24 months (2 years) of age: No meaningful two-word phrases (excluding words and phrases that are imitated and repeated)
7. By 24 months-36 months (2-3 years) of age: Noticeable detachment from other children and people (except their own parents); heightened sense of anxiety, fear, or anger
At any point in early childhood, autism could be present if you begin to notice that your child is experiencing a loss of social skills, behavioral skills, emotional awareness, and communication skills. If you are concerned that your child might fall somewhere on the autism spectrum, it is imperative to talk with your doctor. With early communication and behavioral intervention, many young children who fall on the autism spectrum are able to cope with their “disability” in ways that the rest of us would never think possible!
Here at Bankers Fidelity, we believe that it’s important to raise awareness about autism — especially because April is Autism Awareness Month! We believe it’s our job to go beyond being a medicare insurance company; we want to provide you with the resources you need to live a long and healthy life.
If your child, grandchild, niece, or nephew falls somewhere on the autism spectrum, we’d love to hear from you. Which initial signs stood out the most to you, and how did you first feel when you found out about the diagnosis? More importantly — how has autism made your son or daughter completely unique and talented in a way that you would have never expected?
