Can a person with mild autism live a normal life?
The simple answer to this question is yes, a person with autism spectrum disorder can live independently as an adult. However, not all individuals achieve the same level of independence.
Early signs of autism in babies (6 months to one year) may include: Reacting in an unexpected way to new faces. Rarely smiling in social situations. Making little or no eye contact.
Not all children with autism show all the signs. Many children who don't have autism show a few. That's why professional evaluation is crucial.
Research says that autistic children spend more time on screen than children who do not have autism. About 64.2 percent of young adults with ASD spend their free time on TV, and video games and 13.2 percent of young adults with ASD spend time on social media sites, emails, and chatting.
Although typically developing children generally produce their first words between 12 and 18 months old (Tager-Flusberg et al. 2009; Zubrick et al. 2007), children with ASD are reported to do so at an average age of 36 months (Howlin 2003).
Characteristics of Mild Autism
Repetitive or fixated behaviors, interests, or activities: Autistic people often repeat movements or words as a way to self-regulate, a behavior often referred to as “stimming.” They may also adhere to specific routines and have specific and intense interests.
Many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show developmental differences when they are babies—especially in their social and language skills. Because they usually sit, crawl, and walk on time, less obvious differences in the development of body gestures, pretend play, and social language often go unnoticed.
Babies that fall on the autism spectrum will typically have a delay in their social ques, motor skills, verbal skills, and have what seems like odd reactions to certain things. Autistic infants may be difficult to soothe and may seem standoffish in the way they react to both you and others.
For babies who cannot yet speak, smiling is key. Grins convey an infant's emotional state and well-being and can help get a parent's attention and care. A new study reports that by the time they turn 1, infants who are later diagnosed with autism smile less often than those who do not develop the disorder.
Reassuring Developmental Milestones for Infants & Toddlers
Responds to her name between 9 and 12 months of age. Smiles by 2 months of age; laughs and giggles around 4 to 5 months; expresses with eye contact and smiles or laughter to your humor around 6 months. Plays and thinks peek-a-boo is funny around 9 months of age ...
How do I make sure my baby doesn't have autism?
- Live healthy. Have regular check-ups, eat well-balanced meals, and exercise. ...
- Don't take drugs during pregnancy. Ask your doctor before you take any medication. ...
- Avoid alcohol. ...
- Seek treatment for existing health conditions. ...
- Get vaccinated.
The behavioral symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often appear early in development. Many children show symptoms of autism by 12 months to 18 months of age or earlier. Some early signs of autism include: Problems with eye contact.

Being “shy” or “outgoing” are not the defining factors of autism. People on the spectrum can be both and so many times, they're hiding in plain sight – if only people were aware of just how wrong these myths surrounding being autistic were.
Screen Time for Babies Linked to Higher Risk of Autism-Like Symptoms Later in Childhood. Sitting a baby in front of a tablet or television, as well as less parent-child play time, are associated with developing greater autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-like symptoms later in childhood.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) note that a baby can show signs of ASD from the age of 9 months . However, the Autism Science Foundation states that early signs of ASD may appear in babies as young as 2 months of age.
Wodka's team studied 535 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who had “only a few single words at most” at age 4. By age 8, 70 percent had developed phrase or fluent speech, with 47 percent speaking fluently.
Indeed, retrospective studies of infants who developed ASD have demonstrated diminished response to name as early as 12 months of age,5–8 and response to name is included in all diagnostic measures for ASD.
Delayed speech in children can occur for different reasons, some more serious than others. Many who are familiar with signs of autism during childhood development are aware that speech delays are common among autistic children.
Having a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) – a condition that affects the nervous system and can impair communication and interaction – is a common concern among parents. It often ranks high on their list of most upsetting diagnoses even though it's not a terminal illness.
Children with autism play differently than those who don't have autism. They often like to repeat actions over and over and line up objects, rather than playing pretend. They usually prefer to play alone and have challenges working together with others.
Can a child outgrow mild autism?
Officially, the Answer Is "No" In other words, says the DSM, autistic symptoms start early and continue throughout life, though adults may be able to "mask" their symptoms—at least in some situations. But according to the DSM, it is impossible to "grow out" of autism.
Language differences in children with ASD. Autistic children can find it hard to relate to and communicate with other people. They might be slower to develop language, have no language at all, or have significant problems with understanding or using spoken language.
Does not gesture to communicate by 10 months. Poor eye contact. Seeks your attention infrequently. Repeatedly stiffens arms, hands, legs or displays unusual body movements such as rotating the hands on the wrists, uncommon postures or other repetitive behaviors.
Developmental delays affecting both language and motor skills often show up by the toddler years. But children with autism may develop typically through toddlerhood, after which the unique features of autism may contribute to intellectual delay by interfering with learning from social interactions.
Autism and other developmental issues
Some people with autism move their body to self-soothe or stimulate themselves. They may nod or shake their head, usually in rhythmic motions.
The study is the first to link sleep problems to altered brain development in infants later diagnosed with autism. Sleep difficulties are common in autistic children: Nearly 80 percent of autistic preschoolers have trouble sleeping2.
- not responding to their name.
- avoiding eye contact.
- not smiling when you smile at them.
- getting very upset if they do not like a certain taste, smell or sound.
- repetitive movements, such as flapping their hands, flicking their fingers or rocking their body.
- not talking as much as other children.
Institute and ASHA, have found a child's failure to consistently respond to one's name by their 1st birthday is often one of the most consistent early indicators of autism spectrum disorder and other developmental delays. This does NOT mean your child has autism – or any other condition.
The chances of anyone in the general population having an autistic child are about 1 in 1000 or 0.1%. So, while the risk is real, the chances of you and your husband having an autistic child are still very low. As I said, autism most likely involves lots of genes.
- Lines up toys or other objects and gets upset when order is changed.
- Repeats words or phrases over and over (called echolalia)
- Plays with toys the same way every time.
- Is focused on parts of objects (for example, wheels)
- Gets upset by minor changes.
- Has obsessive interests.
What are signs of autism in a 1 year old?
- Point at things.
- Babble or talk back and forth with another person.
- Try to gain the attention of others.
- Smile in response to your smile.
- Make good eye contact.
- Show objects to others.
- Point to request.
- Respond to their name.
Some genetic mutations seem to be inherited, while others occur spontaneously. Environmental factors. Researchers are currently exploring whether factors such as viral infections, medications or complications during pregnancy, or air pollutants play a role in triggering autism spectrum disorder.
Babies later diagnosed with autism are slower to start babbling and do less of it once they get started than typical babies do, reports a study published 31 January in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Because delays in babbling are rare, this could serve as an early marker of autism.
Autistic children can have particular sleep and settling difficulties, including: irregular sleeping and waking patterns – for example, lying awake until very late or waking very early in the morning. sleeping much less than expected for their age, or being awake for more than an hour during the night.
Avoidant personality disorder. Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) Reactive attachment disorder. Social (pragmatic) communication disorder.
In the autistic brain, the brain reduced connectivity, known as hypoconnectivity, allows weakly connected regions to drift apart, with sulci forming between them.” Research has shown the deeper theses sulcal pits are, the more language production is affected.
Some argue that autism's prevalence is rising because of environmental causes like vaccines. There is no evidence, though, for that explanation. Others argue that the rate is increasing because of the rising age of parents, especially fathers.
The global increase in autism prevalence reflects major improvements in public awareness and public health response to autism. Children are now more likely to be diagnosed earlier, and even underrepresented regions like Africa and the Middle East have been advancing their ability to measure autism prevalence.
Boys with autism tend to be born smaller than typical peers – but then have faster growth and overtake them by the age of three, according to a new study. On average they had smaller heads, were shorter and weighed less at birth.
High levels of stress during pregnancy may also be connected to autism in children. This connection appears to have the most impact when the parent experiences stress between weeks 25 and 28 of pregnancy.
Can mild autism go to normal school?
Autism has a wide spectrum and not every individual with autism can find a place in mainstream schools. However, I have had a few success stories where the right support and timely intervention helped. Several students from my schools were able to successfully complete their education from mainstream schools.
Untreated autism spectrum disorder symptoms worsen over time
That said, as with any symptom, untreated autism spectrum disorder symptoms will get worse over time.
Mild Autism Is Reversible With Educational and Behavioral Approaches. Autism is a lifelong, developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with and relates to other people, and how they experience the world around them.
The life expectancy at birth of people with FAS was 34 years (95% confidence interval: 31 to 37 years), which was about 42 % of that of the general population.
If the autism spectrum disorder left untreated it will have a detrimental effect on that person's life make him dependent on others. Additionally there are higher chances for the appearance of new symptoms which were absent before that eventually worsen the situation.
Diagnosing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be difficult because there is no medical test, like a blood test, to diagnose the disorder. Doctors look at the child's developmental history and behavior to make a diagnosis. ASD can sometimes be detected at 18 months of age or younger.
Keep your turns short at first, so your son needs to listen for only a short time before you praise or reward him. As he gets better at listening and waiting his turn, try gradually lengthening your answers (or those of another partner). We like combining this game with the talking stick or listen/talk signs.
To date, the causes of regression in autism are unknown. Potential factors, such as epilepsy [14], epileptiform EEGs [12] and early childhood immunizations [15–17] have not supported causal, or even correlational linkages.
The behavioral symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often appear early in development. Many children show symptoms of autism by 12 months to 18 months of age or earlier. Some early signs of autism include: Problems with eye contact.
For example, someone with mild autism may: Be able to speak but has trouble with back-and-forth conversation. Tries to make friends but are not successful because they appear "odd" to others. Does age-appropriate schoolwork or tasks, but has a hard time changing activities or trying new ways of doing something.
Why is autism increasing?
The global increase in autism prevalence reflects major improvements in public awareness and public health response to autism. Children are now more likely to be diagnosed earlier, and even underrepresented regions like Africa and the Middle East have been advancing their ability to measure autism prevalence.
Avoiding eye contact and being difficult to engage in conversation. Missing verbal or physical cues, such as not looking at where someone is pointing. Having difficulty understanding others' feelings or talking about feelings in general. Reluctance to socialize or a preference for isolation.
Speech-language therapy addresses challenges with language and communication. It can help people with autism improve their verbal, nonverbal, and social communication. The overall goal is to help the person communicate in more useful and functional ways.
- Animal science. For those who enjoy working with pets, career options include veterinary technician, groomer, obedience trainer, dog walker or pet sitter. ...
- Researcher. ...
- Accounting. ...
- Shipping and logistics. ...
- Art and design. ...
- Manufacturing. ...
- Information technology. ...
- Engineering.
What Happens To Severely Autistic Children When They Get Older? Researchers found that age and severity of the disorder were linked – that is, as age increased so did the severity of autism symptoms in social situations, flexible thinking, and communication.
While autism is considered a lifelong disorder, the degree of impairment in functioning because of these challenges varies between individuals with autism.