Autism and speech apraxia are two distinct conditions that can both affect communication, but they differ fundamentally in their nature, causes, and how they impact speech and language. **Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)** is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by challenges in…
Autism and Global Developmental Delay (GDD) are both terms related to developmental challenges in children, but they describe different conditions with distinct characteristics, causes, and implications. Understanding the difference between autism and GDD is important for recognizing how each affects…
Speech delay by itself does not definitively indicate autism, but it can be an important early sign that warrants further evaluation. Speech delay means a child is slower than typical in developing spoken language skills, such as babbling, saying first…
The relationship between autism and motor delays is complex and multifaceted, reflecting how autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects not only social communication and behavior but also physical development and movement. Motor delays refer to slower or atypical development of motor…
Autism can significantly influence how infants and young children express emotions through smiling, especially during early development. Typically developing babies begin to smile socially within the first few months of life, often as a response to seeing a familiar face…
Some autistic children avoid pointing or using gestures because these actions involve complex social, sensory, and motor skills that can be challenging for them. Pointing and gestures are not just simple movements; they are important tools for communication and social…
Autism can significantly affect how babies use and respond to eye contact, which is one of the earliest and most important social communication behaviors. In typical development, babies begin to make eye contact within the first few months of life,…
The first red flags of autism in infants often appear within the first year of life and can be subtle, involving social, communication, sensory, and behavioral differences. One of the earliest and most noticeable signs is **lack of or limited…
Autism cannot currently be diagnosed at birth in any definitive or clinically reliable way. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by differences in social interaction, communication, and behavior patterns that typically become more apparent as a child…
Pediatricians screen for autism at 18 months by using a combination of structured questionnaires, direct observation, and developmental history to identify early signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The process is designed to be straightforward and sensitive enough to detect…