April is Autism Awareness Month

The following is from an autism awareness card published by the CDC.

As they grow, children are always learning new things.  Below are just some of the things you should look for as your child grows.  Use this as a guide, and if you have any concerns, talk with your child’s doctor and call 1-800-CDC-INFO to get connected with your community’s early childhood intervention system.

At 6 months, many children

• respond to own name
• respond to other people’s emotions and often seem happy
• copy sounds
• like to play with others, especially parents

At 1 year (12 months), many children

• use simple gestures, like shaking head “no” or waving “bye-bye”
• Say “mama” and “dad” and exclamations like “uh-oh!”
• copy gestures
• respond to simple spoken requests

At 1 1/2 years (18 months), many children

• play simple pretend, such as feeding a doll
• point to show others something interesting
• show a full range of emotions, such as happy, sad, angry
• say several single words

At 2 years (24 months), many children

• say sentences with 2-4 words
• follow simple instructions
• get excited when with other children
• point to things or pictures when they are named

At 3 years (36 months), many children

• show affection for friends without prompting
• carry on a conversation using 2 to 3 sentences
• copy adults and friends
• play make-believe with dolls, animals, and people

At 4 years (48 months), many children

• tell stories
• would rather play with other children than by themselves
• play cooperatively with others

Questions to ask your child’s doctor:

• Is my child’s development on track for his or her age?
• How can I track my child’s development?
• What should I do if I’m worried about my child’s progress?
• Where can I get information?

http://www.cdc.gov/actearly

The CDC adapted this information from Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5, Fifth Edition, edited by Steven Shelov and Tanya Remer Altman.  Copyright 1991, 1993, 1998, 2004, 2009 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.  Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents, Third Edition, edited by Joseph Hagan, Jr., Judith S. Shaw, and Paula M. Duncan, 2008, Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics.