Mild autism is not a correct diagnosis used in medicine. However, it is a quite popular expression, even among health professionals, to refer to a person who has autism but who manages to carry out almost all daily activities, such as having a normal conversation, reading, writing, and taking other care basics independently, like eating and dressing, for example.

Several health facilities offer therapies that can help your child cope with autism.

Once the symptoms of this subtype of autism are mild, many times it is only possible to identify around 2 or 3 years of age, when the child begins to interact with other people and perform more complex tasks, being observed by friends, relatives, or teachers.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms

The characteristic symptoms of mild autism can affect one of these three areas:

Communication Problems

One of the signs that can indicate that the child has autism is having communication problems with other people, so he may not speak correctly, misuse words, or does not know how to express himself using words.

Difficulty Socializing

Another characteristic of autism is the existence of difficulties to socialize with other people, such as the difficulty to make friends, start or maintain a conversation, and look into the eyes of the other person.

Alterations in Behavior

Children with autism, in many cases, present deviations in the behavior that is expected in a normal child, so you can notice that the child has repetitive patterns of movements and fixation on objects.

Other characteristics of autism that can help in its diagnosis are:

• Interpersonal relationships are affected;
• Inappropriate laughter;
• Do not look into the eyes;
• Emotional coldness;
• Little display of pain;
• He likes to always play with the same toy or object;
• Difficulty focusing on a simple task and completing it;
• He would rather be alone than play with other children;
• He is not afraid of any dangerous situation;
• Repeats words or phrases in inappropriate places;
• Does not respond when called by name, as if deaf;
• Moments of rage;
• Difficulty expressing your feelings through speech or gestures.

What to Do If You Suspect Mild Autism

The only way to confirm the diagnosis of autism is by consulting a pediatrician or neuro pediatrician to evaluate the child’s behavior and the stories of parents, relatives, and acquaintances.

Due to the fear that doctors have of misdiagnosing a child, it can take several months and even years to confirm after the parents or caregivers identify the first signs. For this reason, several experts indicate that if you have any suspicions, you should go to a psychologist to help the child overcome the obstacles that may arise during their development, even if they have not yet had a diagnosis.