United States: The early autism signs in babies include fussiness alongside sleep problems and unresponsiveness, according to new research findings.
More about the news
Quantifiable signs that alert parents to possible autism development can be identified within the first year of their child, according to research published in Pediatric Research.
The proposed diagnostic technique would deliver substantially greater results than present diagnostic methods that discover autism when children reach ages 3 to 5 years.
According to the senior researcher Stephen Sheinkopf, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Missouri’s Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment, “What we found was the infants at 9 months who were reported to be fussier had a harder time adapting, more difficulty sleeping and more delays in achieving developmental milestones were more likely to show signs of early autism by 12 months,” US News reported.
"Recognizing Early Signs of Autism in Babies: What Every Parent Should Know"
— Different Spectrums Podcast ™️ (@DiffSpectrums) April 17, 2025
Early detection of autism can improve outcomes. Signs may include limited eye contact, not responding to their name, and lack of gestures. #AutismAwareness https://t.co/ksPujILhRa
In the study, 332 parents answered questions about the adaptability and temperamental characteristics of their 9-month-old children, which evaluated crying behavior alongside irritability calming ability and environmental adjustment.
The parents of infants completed an autism screening assessment when their children reached one year to evaluate their communication abilities combined with sensory behaviors and repetitive actions.
The screening examined how infants reacted to their names and their reactions to intense noises such as vacuum cleaners.
Early parent assessments regarding infant behavior produced results indicating autism and developmental delay detection can start much earlier than medical science has previously understood.
From being fussy to difficulty sleeping – early signs of autism in your child https://t.co/RAXCNkRrul
— SunHealth (@TheSunHealth) April 16, 2025
The researchers state that early warning signals cannot be used for definitive autism diagnosis at this time.
The gathered data has the potential to locate babies requiring early intervention while improving pediatrician capabilities to evaluate infant development progression according to research findings.
“Whether it’s helping infants develop language skills closer to their age-expected levels or developing early social skills that will help them thrive in preschool, we want all kids to flourish,” as Sheinkopf noted.
The research team examines multiple behavioral patterns of infants through current advanced methods of monitoring infant vocalizations.