Understanding Autism Early Signs: A Parent’s Guide to Recognition and Support

The Moment Every Parent Fears

Have you ever watched your child play and felt that nagging feeling that something might be different? You’re not alone. Every day, parents across the country experience that subtle worry, wondering if their child’s development is on track or if they should be concerned about certain behaviors.

“Something’s going on. She’s super smart, she’s really fun, but there’s just something off,” shares Jessica Marken, founder of New View Autism and mother of a child with autism, describing her own experience. This powerful insight comes from someone who brings both professional expertise and personal understanding to the autism conversation.

Early Signs: What Parents Need to Know

Communication Signals

One of the most significant areas parents should watch for is communication development. As Jessica explains, “The big things that we’re looking for are communication. Some kids will just never develop language. And I shouldn’t say never, they’re slow to develop language. And then other kids will develop typically, and then they’ll see a regression early on.”

Key communication signs to watch for include:

• Delayed speech development
• Regression in previously developed language skills
• Difficulty engaging in back-and-forth communication
• Repetitive use of words or phrases

Social Interaction Patterns

Social interaction is another crucial area where signs of autism might appear. “Are they able to play with their peers? Are they able to not necessarily make eye contact, but engage with other people? Are they seeking out other people to play with them, to communicate with them?” Jessica points out.

Interestingly, social differences can manifest in two distinct ways:

1. Children who appear withdrawn or prefer solitary play
2. Children who are “overly social” – “running up to every stranger… giving strangers hugs in the middle of Sam’s Club”

Repetitive Behaviors and Rigid Thinking

“The other one that is often a clue for families is the repetitive or like rigid behaviors,” Jessica notes. These behaviors might include:

• Lining up toys or objects
• Asking the same questions repeatedly
• Difficulty with changes in routine
• Fixed interests or patterns of play

The Diagnosis Journey: What to Expect

The Evaluation Process

The path to diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but understanding the process helps. As Jessica explains from her personal experience: “It involves a lot of testing. Some of our doctors will do that all in one day. That’s what my daughter went through. It was like an eight hour testing session.”

The evaluation typically includes:

• Standardized testing
• Hands-on activities
• Parent interviews
• Teacher/caregiver input when applicable
• Comprehensive behavior observations

Emotional Support During Diagnosis

“Families feel a combination of relief and then they’re overwhelmed,” Jessica shares. “Okay, well now I’ve got an answer, but now what the heck do I do? Like, where do I go? Who’s going to be able to help my child?”

Finding the Right Support

Evaluating ABA Services

When looking for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services, Jessica emphasizes several key factors to consider:

1. Facility Assessment “I think it’s really important to go in, like have a tour of the facility if they’re able and willing to let you come in and what does that space look like? What do my staff look like when they’re interacting with other kids?”
2. Family Involvement “So much of the progress that we see in ABA depends on how involved the families are. And so if an ABA clinic or any provider is like, no, just kind of sit out here, like we’ll take care of it. That would be a red flag for me.”
3. Professional Oversight “Within ABA, we have BCBA who’s writing programming and coming up with all of that. And then you have your behavior techs who are implementing it… if the BCBA is not providing oversight and updating them on a regular basis, then you’re not going to see the progress that you would hope for.”

Understanding Progress and Development

Progress in autism intervention isn’t just about reducing challenging behaviors. As Jessica explains: “It’s super cool if I can reduce tantruming and aggression towards other people and property destruction. But if I’m not teaching skills to replace them, eventually those behaviors are gonna come back.”

Key areas of development often include:

• Communication skills
• Social interaction
• Play skills
• Self-advocacy
• Behavior management
• Life skills

The Journey Forward

Family Involvement Is Critical

“We see progress. We will still see progress. It’s often much slower,” Jessica notes about cases where family involvement is limited. She emphasizes that skills learned in therapy need to be practiced and reinforced at home for optimal results.

Building a Support Network

Perhaps the most important advice Jessica offers is about reaching out for support: “Talk about what you’re experiencing. Share it with family members, share it with friends, because somebody along the road is going to have a connection somewhere… Having a support system with other people who can say, yeah, man, that really stinks. Like, I don’t know how to help you, but I can walk alongside of you, can be really helpful.”

Connect with Jessica and Learn More

For parents seeking guidance or support, Jessica Marken can be reached through several platforms:

• Facebook: New View Autism Clinic
• Personal Facebook: Jessica Marken
• LinkedIn: Jessica Marken, MA, BCBA, LBA

Final Thoughts

Remember, recognizing the signs of autism early and seeking appropriate support can make a significant difference in your child’s development. As Jessica emphasizes, you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Whether you’re just beginning to notice differences in your child’s development or are further along in your journey, there are professionals, resources, and support systems available to help you and your child thrive.

The most important step is often the first one – reaching out for help. Don’t wait if you have concerns. Early intervention can make a substantial difference in outcomes, and there are caring professionals like Jessica who understand both the professional and personal sides of the autism journey.