What are some red flags of autism to be aware of when working with young children?
Answer
When you're working with children and families, these are some red flag signs of autism to keep in mind from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC):
Not responding to name by 12 months: Initially, many families think that it is a hearing issue and will bring their children to have their hearing checked.
Not pointing: One of the first things we work on with young children with autism is how to point. Pointing is a social mechanism to indicate to another person that we want something.
Avoiding eye contact
Delayed speech
Upset by minor changes
Obsessive interests (above and beyond just liking something)
Flapping hands, or other stereotypical motor movements
Unusual reactions to sensory (e.g., a child who hates to have his hair cut or take a bath)
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that physicians screen young children for autism at 18 and 24 months of age, to make sure that they are meeting developmental milestones.
Tara Warwick, MS, OTR/L, is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, obtaining her Bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy in 2000 and completing her Master’s degree in rehabilitation sciences with an emphasis in pediatrics in 2005. She has spent her entire career focusing on improving the quality of services for children, primarily targeting children with autism. She currently co-owns a pediatric therapy practice called Today’s Therapy Solutions and is a consultant for the Oklahoma Autism Center through the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center – Child Study Center. Tara’s specialties include working with children with autism and challenging behavior. She has extensive experience and expertise in behavior management, sensory processing, self-care training (potty training, eating/feeding, dressing, play, etc.), and assistive technology. She has conducted trainings and provided consultations for schools, parents and health and child care professionals all across the state.
Related Courses
1/early-childhood-education/ece-ceus/course/teaching-children-with-autism-critical-32072Teaching Children with Autism: Critical Skills, Writing Goals, and Monitoring ProgressLearn the steps involved in teaching young children with autism new skills, including how and what skills to assess, writing goals, strategies for teaching new skills, and how to monitor progress.auditory, textual, visual
Learn the steps involved in teaching young children with autism new skills, including how and what skills to assess, writing goals, strategies for teaching new skills, and how to monitor progress.
2/early-childhood-education/ece-ceus/course/safety-tips-for-young-children-30588Safety Tips for Young ChildrenThe following presentation guides the participant through tips on how to prevent accidents and injuries in the car, home, and at play for young children. A special section will also be presented specifically for wandering in children with autism.auditory, textual, visual
The following presentation guides the participant through tips on how to prevent accidents and injuries in the car, home, and at play for young children. A special section will also be presented specifically for wandering in children with autism.
3/early-childhood-education/ece-ceus/course/five-steps-create-functional-behavior-30591Five Steps to Create a Functional Behavior AssessmentThis course will walk participants through five steps for creating a functional behavior assessment. The steps described include: gathering background information, determining target behavior, collecting data, analyzing data, and creating a hypothesis.auditory, textual, visual
This course will walk participants through five steps for creating a functional behavior assessment. The steps described include: gathering background information, determining target behavior, collecting data, analyzing data, and creating a hypothesis.
4/early-childhood-education/ece-ceus/course/creating-a-behavior-intervention-plan-30592Creating a Behavior Intervention PlanThis course will walk participants through the steps of creating a behavior intervention plan. The plan will address the behaviors targeted in the functional behavior assessment.auditory, textual, visual
This course will walk participants through the steps of creating a behavior intervention plan. The plan will address the behaviors targeted in the functional behavior assessment.
5/early-childhood-education/ece-ceus/course/understanding-assessing-and-addressing-challenging-31151Understanding, Assessing, and Addressing Challenging Behavior in Young ChildrenThis course provides a framework for better understanding, assessing, and addressing challenging behavior. Participants will learn how to identify target behavior, create a hypothesis, and create an intervention plan. Participants also learn the five steps for creating a functional behavior assessment, including gathering background information, determining target behavior, collecting data, analyzing data, and creating a hypothesis. Participants will build on that knowledge to learn the steps of creating a behavior intervention plan to address the behaviors targeted in the functional behavior assessment.auditory, textual, visual
This course provides a framework for better understanding, assessing, and addressing challenging behavior. Participants will learn how to identify target behavior, create a hypothesis, and create an intervention plan. Participants also learn the five steps for creating a functional behavior assessment, including gathering background information, determining target behavior, collecting data, analyzing data, and creating a hypothesis. Participants will build on that knowledge to learn the steps of creating a behavior intervention plan to address the behaviors targeted in the functional behavior assessment.
