Signs and Symptoms of Autism

Autism affects the way a person learns, behaves, communicates and interacts with others. There’s a broad spectrum of autism signs and symptoms, meaning the condition can affect each person differently.

For example, a child may be delayed in some areas but advanced in others. One person with autism may need a great deal of support, whereas another can function well without much treatment.

Signs and symptoms often begin to appear by age 2 or 3. They may include effects on communication and social behaviors. For example, a child may:

• Avoid eye contact
• Not play games or use gestures to communicate (for example, waving or pointing)
• Not meet developmental milestones around the expected times

A child also may display repetitive behaviors or have limited or restricted interests, such as:

• Performing unusual or repetitive physical actions like rocking or spinning
• Getting upset by minor changes to the order of toys or daily routines
• Lining up objects such as toys
• Playing with the same toys over and over, or playing with toys the same way every time
• Repeating words or phrases over and over

Children with autism also have other related disorders, such as:

• Anxiety, depression or both
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
• Epilepsy

Diagnosing Autism

A child can be diagnosed with autism at any age. But early diagnosis is better, so your child can get the proper care to achieve their full potential.

There’s no lab test to diagnose autism. However, we can diagnose the condition based on a comprehensive developmental evaluation. Our team spends extensive time interacting with your child, as well as talking with you and other people close to your child.

Autism Treatment

There’s no cure for autism and no one-size-fits-all treatment. A physician specializing in autism can design a personalized, comprehensive care plan for your child.

Treatment aims to manage the condition and lessen its impact on daily life for your child and family. This may include education for the entire family, medications to manage symptoms, therapy services, and extra support at home and in school.

Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorder: Why Choose Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital?

When you bring your child to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital for the diagnosis and treatment of autism, you’ll find:

• Autism specialists: Our neurologists are board certified and fellowship trained to treat autism. They have training in child neurology and extensive experience with patients on the autism spectrum. They have a deep understanding of the many ways this condition can affect your family.
• Individualized care: Autism affects every child differently. We design your child’s care to meet their unique needs and goals. We listen carefully and work with you to determine what treatments are needed and whether they need to change over time. 
• Welcoming environment: Our child life specialists create a welcoming environment for children and families so that the hospital experience is less scary. We have therapy dogs, low-sensory spaces and family areas to make your time here as comfortable and soothing as possible. If your child has surgery here, we offer the on-campus Conine Clubhouse as a special home away from home.
• Partnership throughout childhood: We monitor your child over time as they grow and change — and as their condition changes with them. We start early to help your child with autism make a smooth transition to adulthood.
• National recognition: Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Emergency Department (ED) at Memorial Hospital Miramar is Florida’s first ED to earn the Certified Autism Center designation from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards. This certification means that our ED staff demonstrates a better understanding of autism and strategies for communication and safety.

Care for Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Our multispecialty team of experts provides patient- and family-centered care for children with other neurodevelopmental disorders. We offer:

• Comprehensive evaluations
• Complex ADHD clinic
• Complex neurodevelopmental clinic 
• Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies clinic (for children with genetic causes of epilepsy) 
• Genetic testing
• Neurobehavioral clinic 
• Neuropsychology consultations
• Support groups