Are you worried that your child might be acting a little different from other kids? Most times, the societal expectations for a child’s development is a shoe that will unfortunately not fit all sizes, since each child is unique. If your child is late on some of them, chances are that they’ll still come around. However, autism is a wide spectrum that presents with a variety of signs that often get mislabelled as quirks and personality traits. Please read earlier post, early symptoms and signs of autism spectrum disorder.
But what if thy're not? What if they’re early signs of autism?
Many Nigerian parents miss these signs because we often attribute delays to cultural beliefs or dismiss concerns out of fear of being labelled and that’s understandable. But identifying the problem is an important step to intervening and early intervention is key to helping autistic children thrive.
So, how do you know if your child may be on the autism spectrum? Let’s explore 10 early warning signs Nigerian parents should watch for.
1. Delayed Speech and Language Development
The most common pointer in autistic children is speech delay. The Nigerian reality is that parents assume that the child is just slow to talk. However, this is a sign that should keep your guard up and very observant to identify other behaviours indicative of autism.
Generally, children say their first words by 12 months, but autistic children take a lot longer and some might not speak at all. Delayed speech can be inferred if your child isn't babbling by 12 months, saying single words by 16 months and two word phrases by 2 years. Additionally, if they start losing words they previously used, and aren't making efforts to communicate even through gestures, then it may be worth seeking an expert opinion. You could consult a paediatrician or speech therapist. Speech delays don’t always mean autism, but early speech therapy can make a huge difference.
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2. Limited Eye Contact
Children are naturally inquisitive about their environment, including the people in it. They look at their caregivers and people around them when being fed, changed, when playing and bond with their parents or caregivers through eye contact. When a child shies away from eye contact consistently, it might indicate a difficulty to connect or socially interact. Ever noticed that your child avoids looking into your eyes when you talk to them or doesn’t follow your gaze when you point at something? Do they prefer looking at objects instead of people’s faces and don’t look at you when you call their name? If they do, and they display other behaviours on this list, it's a likely sign that they might be on the spectrum.
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3. Lack of Interest in Playing with Others
By age two, most children enjoy laughing, playing with siblings, or copying parents. Autistic children on the other hand often prefer playing alone.
If your child has no interest in playing with other kids and seems oblivious to others’ emotions, then it could be a sign.
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4. Non responsiveness to their names
By 12 months, babies typically respond when called by their name. If your child doesn't react, it could be a sign of a potential issue. Some behaviors to watch for include ignoring their name while responding to other sounds, such as those from cartoons. Additionally, if your child seems to be in their own world or doesn't react when a parent enters the room, these could also be indicators.
Not responding to just names alone could suggest a hearing difficulty therefore it might be good to get their hearing checked, but if they react to other sounds besides their name, autism might be a factor.
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5. Unusual Reactions to Sounds and Lights
Autistic children are very sensitive to loud sounds and have interesting reactions to different types of sounds. For example, they may not respond to their name but will react to random noises.
Does your child cover their ears when they hear a loud sound? Or seem unbothered by things that should startle them? Do they love staring at spinning fans, flickering lights? While it may be convenient to think that your child is the quiet peaceful type, hypersensitivity or lack of response to sensory input is common in autistic children.
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6. Repetitive Behaviors (Stimming)
Stimming helps autistic children self-regulate their emotions and sensory experiences. If your child repeats the same movement or action over and over, it might be a sign. You need to watch for repetitive actions like hand-flapping, rocking, or spinning in circles. Lining up toys instead of playing with them and watching the same video repeatedly without getting bored are other types of stimming common in autistic children.
It's easy for parents to dismiss this as a phase, but if repetitive actions persist and interfere with daily life, it could be autism.
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7. Lack of Pointing or Gesturing
Most babies use gestures by pointing at things they want. It could be toys, food, or interesting objects. It is a major communication milestone in all cultures however, autistic children may not use gestures to communicate. They don’t typically wave goodbye or point to show interest in objects.
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8. Intense Focus on Certain Objects or Topics
Autistic children often fixate on specific things. They could be obsessed with a particular toy or type of toy, a topic for example insects and talk about them all the time. They may refuse to play with any other type of toy and would get upset when you try to force a change to what they're accustomed to.
Despite their amazing talents, this fixation combined with social difficulties is a key sign.
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9. Unusual Walking or Movement Patterns
Watch how your child moves. Do they walk on their toes? Flap their hands when excited? Or jump and spin excessively? These stimming movements are common in autism. They are not harmful but can interfere with learning and interaction. If they seem excessive, you can consult a psychologist.
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10. Difficulty Understanding Emotions
Autistic children often struggle to understand feelings both theirs and others’. Most times they can’t tell if someone is angry or happy, and act unfazed when confronted with these emotions. They don’t comfort others when they cry and would have a meltdown when overwhelmed. Nigerian parents assume their child is just "strong-headed", but emotional dysregulation is a key sign. Also read early symptoms and signs of autism spectrum disorders.
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Early Action Makes a Difference
If you’ve noticed these signs, the best thing you can do is to seek help early because early intervention changes lives. Autism isn’t a curse or a punishment, it’s only a different way of experiencing the world. The earlier parents recognize the signs, the sooner children can receive support and thrive.