A baby is always a bundle of joy. However, some disorders that are normally hidden come to ruin the joy at some point unless they are diagnosed and treated early. One popular disorder that you should be aware of is autism. It predominantly affects toddlers and interferes with their communication, thinking, and social life. However, the secret for preventing the condition from getting worse is identifying the early signs. Here are 5 signs of autism in toddlers you should be aware of:

Speech Challenges

Most toddlers experience delayed speech. Some struggle to utter two words by 2 years. It even becomes hard for them to ask for what they want. So, they prefer to struggle to get it instead of asking for assistance. Others may speak but are likely to do it in halts.

Poor Response

In some cases, a toddler is not able to reach out when you want to pick him/her. The child is also unable to show a response to cuddling. Likewise, the toddler can’t initiate either of the two actions. The toddler may also fail to show response to someone hurting or expressing discomfort.

Playing Difficulties

Some children find it difficult to play with toys as they are expected to. Instead of playing with a toy, you’ll find the toddler putting it in the mouth and trying to eat it. Simply put, the child may try to do bizarre things with the toy.

Rigid Behaviors

There are toddlers who find it difficult to accept transitions. They become glued to specific routines pertaining to the food they eat, the place they sleep, and the clothes they wear. If they are not offered what they want, they become restless.

Reduced Gestures and Sounds

Since communication is hampered, these kids may not use gestures and sound a lot to self-express. Their ways of expressions are usually limited. The toddler is not able to wave goodbye and maintain eye contact when fed or talked to. He/she is also unable to respond to names and sounds.

Though autism is a serious disorder among children, researchers have stated that the effects can be managed if treatment is sought early. So, it’s important to be familiar with the above signs of autism in toddlers so as to seek help for your kid early enough. Remember that you are the one who knows your child better than anyone else. So, you are always in the best position to identify earliest warning signs of autism. You can observe rare behaviors and quirks that a physician may not have a chance to see immediately.