WATCH: What autism looks like in toddlers

This video will change the way you watch your children play

This video shows parents what autism looks like in toddlers so encourage them to intervene early and begin treatment. At 2 minutes 40, the comparison between normal play and a child with autism is made astoundingly clear.

The earlier autism is diagnosed, the better. This way treatment can begin as early as possible, leading to a better quality of life for the child. Normally autism is detected at around four years of age but now doctors say the signs are clear from as young as one.

Autism is a ‘spectrum disorder’, affecting children on a different scale from mild through to severe. Many children are falling through the cracks because their symptoms are so subtle, they aren’t picked up until later in life. Some don’t realise they are autistic until they are adults.

Dr. Rebecca Landa of the US Kennedy Krieger Institute has developed this nine-minute tutorial video aimed at detecting behavioural symptoms in children as young as one. The video is based on a lifetime of research into the disorder. Each of the six clips compares toddlers with autism to those without autism.

Parents are urged to watch for how their child plays with toys and how they respond to those around them.

If you have any concerns, contact your GP and request an assessment.

What’s your reaction to this video – Is it helpful or scary?