What if you notice something different about your baby, even as a newborn? What if your child is developing normally — smiling and cooing at you — and suddenly stops responding to his name and begins avoiding eye contact?

Could it be autism?

Autism is a developmental disorder that affects the brain, causing moderate to severe communication, social interaction, and behavioral problems. Signs of autism are usually noticeable before age three.

Imagine you want a drink of water or have a toothache. But you don't know what to do or how to tell anyone about what you want or need. Such is the life of an autistic child. Children affected by autism have trouble processing speech and expressing their needs.

"If you suspect something is wrong with your child, contact your physician," said Royann Mraz, MD, developmental pediatrician at the Center for Disabilities and Development (CDD), part of University of Iowa Children's Hospital. "Early intervention is key," she says.

An interdisciplinary team of specialists at the CDD provide services to help autistic children and their families, including:

Diagnostic and assessment services

• Autism clinic includes hearing tests, nutrition information, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech/ language therapy. The child is seen by a child psychologist, developmental-behavioral pediatrician and speech pathologist.
• Neuropsychology clinic helps define a child's learning abilities and cognitive strengths and weaknesses. Educational interventions are tailored to meet the needs and skills of the child.
• Neurobehavioral clinic provides assessment and treatment recommendations for children and adolescents who experience problems learning and who have behavior problems at school

Behavioral treatment and consultation

• Biobehavioral service works to reduce aggression, self-injury, or non-compliance and teaches new adaptive and academic skills to help develop positive, social communication
• Challenging behavior service, funded through the Iowa Department of Education and free to schools and families, provides consultation to schools for students who have problem behaviors

For more information about CDD services or to make an appointment, call 319-353-6900 or 877-686-0031.

What to look for

• No pointing, waving, gesturing by 12 months
• No babbling by 12 months
• Used to say a few words but doesn't anymore
• No pretend playing
• Little or no eye contact
• Prefers to be alone
• No response when called by name
• Noticeably overactive or underactive
• Oversensitivity to sounds, textures, smells
• Resists changes in routine
• Repetitive body movements
• Intense tantrums

Did you know?

• Nearly one in 150 children is diagnosed with autism
• Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed
• Autism is more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined
• Autism is the fastest growing disability in America