Autism awareness is increasing by the year. You hear about it in TV and radio, and you can even read it on newspapers and magazines. This is because experts believe that having the right information about the disorder is very important in minimizing its bad effects and in developing the skills of an autistic child.

Despite many studies conducted and several organizations formed to help people with autism. We still have a long way to go in fully understanding the disorder. Even today, cure for autism is still unknown. Also, there is still no direct evidence as to what really causes it. There is only a presumption that autism is caused by genetics and environmental factors.

Although the number of children diagnosed with autism is rising, experts say that there is no reason to worry about. The rise is only caused by more accurate diagnostics and because of the heightened public consciousness.

Autism is a complex brain disorder that is characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. It is only one of the five Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD).

Autism appears commonly on toddlers, causing delays in many basic areas of development such as learning to talk and interact with others. But this does not mean that toddlers are more prone to autism. It is just that the symptoms of autism will start to appear during this stage. This is when parents and pediatricians should be more attentive in looking out for the signs of autism. Toddlers are children who are about 12 and 18 months old. This is the period between infancy and childhood and when the child starts to walk.

Here are the most common signs of autism- toddlers.

Impairment in social development

Toddlers with autism do not display their interest on things and activities and do not take an active part in playing games with other toddlers. They barely interact with their parents, smile or exhibit joyful expressions and make eye contact with other people. They are also disinterested with the surroundings and have problems in hearing. Many children with autism have been suspected of being deaf at an early stage and they barely respond to their own name.

Impairment in communication

Children with autism have problems in both verbal and nonverbal communication. Compared with typically developing toddlers, children with autism have a much smaller inventory of sounds and words that they use to communicate with others. They also have unusual gestures and facial expressions.

Exhibits repetitive behavior

Autistic individuals exhibit several forms of repetitive or restricted behavior and this is the most obvious of the signs of autism. Toddlers often display hand flapping, head banging and body rocking even in their cot. Some can even be dangerous as it can inflict injury to their own such as pinching their own skin and hand biting.

It is important to remember that individuals vary in displaying the signs of autism. Toddlers who exhibit the signs must be checked by pediatricians and experts immediately so that early interventions can be applied as soon as possible.