The Difference Between Signs Of Developmental Delay Vs. Autism

Parents looking out for early signs of autism and developmental delays should understand that their anxiety is normal and good. In fact, without parental worry, symptoms connected to conditions such as autism might be missed, meaning lost chances for early intervention. But sometimes parents can also become hyper-focused on early signs of autism. Too much vigilance, mixed with a loose understanding of autism diagnoses, can cause some parents to mistake the difference between autism and developmental delay.

“Diagnoses evolve,” says Andrew Adesman, M.D., Chief of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics at the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York. He admits the evolution may be officially slow. After all, it took 16 years for Autism Spectrum Disorder to become officially recognized in the 2013 edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). However, practitioners who work with children every day are quicker to recognize emerging conditions.

“Sometimes parents make the mistake of focusing on one symptom that might lead them to one diagnosis, not considering what other clinical criteria go into making a given diagnosis,” Adesman says.

So, before parents latch on to the idea that their kid is on the spectrum, it’s important for them to consider what are called diagnostic mimics. There are several conditions that could cause a child’s autism-like symptoms but are unrelated to the condition.

Autism-Like Language Delays Might Be Linked to Hearing Problems

“Children who have hearing problems can have language delays and language delays can suggest an autism spectrum disorder,” notes Adesman. But he stresses that the language delays won’t necessarily occur unless there are significant issues with hearing in both ears. So a child with a recurring ear infection in a single ear is unlikely to develop a delay in language.

Also, Adesman notes that children with hearing problems will often be very visually engaged. “Children with a spectrum disorder typically are going to have either gaze aversion or may not be as visually engaged,” he explains.

Some Vision Problems Can Mimic Early Signs of Autism

The most commonly discussed symptoms of autism are linked to social behavior — or the child’s ability to simply be present and engaged with a parent. But social behaviors can be affected when a baby is experiencing difficulty with their senses.

Normally developing babies, for instance, should be able to meet and follow a parent’s gaze. However, if an infant’s vision isn’t developing properly, their interaction with parents could be muted simply because they are having difficulty seeing them. That’s why vision tests should be used to rule out eye-problems before a diagnosis of autism.

Some Behavioral Issues Can Be Explained by Sensory Processing Disorder

Autistic children are typically thought to be sensitive to certain sensory inputs, though it should be said that many aren’t. However, there are children who are not on the spectrum but are still highly sensitive to sound and touch. Something like a twisted sock or a tag in their shirt might set them off.

There is an emerging condition recognized by many physical therapists called sensory processing disorder. That said, it isn’t officially recognized in mainstream diagnostic manuals yet.

Understanding General Intellectual Disabilities

For every child diagnosed with autism there are one to two diagnosed with another form of intellectual disability such as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or Down Syndrome. The fact is that those general intellectual disabilities are far more common than autism and can often share symptoms.

“For children presenting very early on for language delay, something you have to think about is a language disorder,” says Adesman. “Another thing you have to think about is an intellectual disability. The third thing you have to think about is ASD.”

Autism Versus Psychological Disorders

Some older children may develop repetitive behaviors or become socially awkward and withdrawn. These are symptoms also linked to psychological disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder or anxiety disorders.

In the end, parents need to be particularly savvy when navigating information related to autism, Adesman says. “Parents can and should self-educate,” he encourages. “But there’s an important place for families to talk to their pediatrician.”

He also notes that every parent is entitled to a free evaluation if they are concerned about their child. But, he stresses, “There’s no single discrete feature that rules in or rules out a diagnosis of ASD.”