When does Having a “High Needs” Baby Mean Autism?

Caring for any baby is a significant challenge. New parents are always tested, needing to find patience and energy unlike what has been required at any point in their lives previously. Those demands are increased even further when the baby is “high needs.” Parents of a high needs baby may be concerned that autism is the underlying cause of assorted behaviors – and while that can be the case, it is far from a sure thing. Let’s take a closer look at this topic to get a clearer picture of why this is the case. 

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

The term “autism” has been popularized in the media and tends to be widely used. However, it is not necessarily well understood by the general public in terms of what it is or what it means for those who have this disorder. Instead, like other mental health jargon including ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), bipolar and OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), it has been thrown around so much that it has become commonplace and the information out there can be misleading. It’s important to have at least a basic understanding of what autism spectrum disorder (ASD) entails so it is easier to spot potential signs that may lead to a visit to a provider and a formal evaluation. 

Autism is a spectrum, so it includes many different behaviors and experiences based on the individual.

Perhaps the key word to focus on with this disability is “spectrum.” Autism comes in many different forms and it can look dramatically different from one person to the next. The underlying factor here is differences in the brain that lead to a developmental disability, but the spectrum (commonly termed “neuro-diversity”) is wide and the symptoms experienced as a result can range from mild to severe. Plenty of people on the autism spectrum live independent lives needing virtually no assistance, while others require significant care from day to day. 

ASD is Difficult to Spot Early On

One of the challenges with identifying and formally diagnosing ASD in an infant is that many of the traits, especially communication skills, that people with ASD develop are found in areas that babies simply have not yet developed. For example, babies don’t communicate effectively when they are very young, so it can be difficult to determine whether there is a developmental disorder or the child just hasn’t yet reached certain milestones. It’s best for parents to try to remain practical and patient as their child develops, while still paying attention to any signs that are concerning and cause for further investigation. 

What counts as “high needs” in diagnosing autism spectrum disorder?

As was mentioned in the introduction, it would be fair enough to classify every baby as high needs. After all, infants need attention from adults on a full-time basis to remain safe and healthy and continue to grow. 

With that said, some babies are harder to care for than others, and children who demand even more from their parents might cause their guardians to wonder about ASD or ADHD issues.

Caregivers may face a number of challenges in caring for a child with autism spectrum disorder:

When considering early ASD warning signs, a potential issue that can sometimes be related to ASD is a reluctance to make eye contact. When this symptom shows up in a very young child, it could point to a future diagnosis, but it is not a sure thing. Arriving at that diagnosis will require analyzing a range of symptoms that’ll lead the medical professional to reach a conclusion.  

Ultimately, it’s up to the adults that are responsible for a child to decide when it is necessary to seek the guidance of a professional. The passage of time tends to make things clearer, so as the young child passes their second or third birthday, these choices may become more obvious.

The Power of Early Intervention

While there is no existing cure for ASD, there are many treatments and services available. Getting started as early as possible is important when it comes to treatment, although it is never too late to seek help. Because of the varied impacts that ASD can have on people, the treatments that are used will be dramatically different from one case to the next. 

Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) can be an effective behavioral treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

One of the most powerful and proven interventions for ASD is behavioral treatment (termed “applied behavioral analysis” or ABA). This form of treatment can be employed from a very young age and it aims to help the individual understand the cause and effect of certain behaviors. Encouraging desired behaviors and discouraging behaviors that are to be avoided can significantly help the individual respond appropriately in a variety of situations.

Developing life skills to achieve with autism

Behavioral treatment offers plenty of advantages, but it is not the only way this situation can be approached. Helping the individual to develop valuable life skills is another way the impacts of ASD can be lessened. This might mean using speech therapy to address any delays, or it could mean using physical therapy to sharpen fine motor skills and make some of the tasks associated with day-to-day life less challenging. 

To answer the question from the title of this article – no, a high needs baby does not necessarily point to a future diagnosis of autism. While it’s possible that various high needs traits found in babies could point to ASD, it’s important for parents to avoid jumping to conclusions. Seeking help from qualified professionals is the best way to proceed, as those trained in this field will be able to properly assess behavioral patterns and offer an informed diagnosis. 

Scientific Citation: Webb SJ, Jones EJ. Early Identification of Autism: Early Characteristics, Onset of Symptoms, and Diagnostic Stability. Infants Young Child. 2009 Apr-Jun;22(2):100-118. doi: 10.1097/IYC.0b013e3181a02f7f. PMID: 28090148; PMCID: PMC5232420.

^{[1] A Systematic Review of the Link Between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Acetaminophen: A Mystery to Resolve, interpreting data from Parker SE, Collett BR, Werler MM: Maternal acetaminophen use during pregnancy and childhood behavioural problems: Discrepancies between mother- and teacher-reported outcomes. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 2020, 34:299-308. 10.1111/ppe.12601).}

^{[2] Paracetamol use during pregnancy—a call for precautionary action, Bauer, A.Z., Swan, S.H., Kriebel, D., Liew, Z., Taylor, H.S., Bornehag, C.G., Andrade, A.M., Olsen, J., Jensen, R.H., Mitchell, R.T. and Skakkebaek, N.E., 2021. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 17(12), pp.757-766.}

^{[3] A Systematic Review of the Link Between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Acetaminophen: A Mystery to Resolve, interpreting data from Parker SE, Collett BR, Werler MM: Maternal acetaminophen use during pregnancy and childhood behavioural problems: Discrepancies between mother- and teacher-reported outcomes. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 2020, 34:299-308. 10.1111/ppe.12601).}

^{[4] Paracetamol use during pregnancy—a call for precautionary action, Bauer, A.Z., Swan, S.H., Kriebel, D., Liew, Z., Taylor, H.S., Bornehag, C.G., Andrade, A.M., Olsen, J., Jensen, R.H., Mitchell, R.T. and Skakkebaek, N.E., 2021. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 17(12), pp.757-766.}

^{[5] A Systematic Review of the Link Between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Acetaminophen: A Mystery to Resolve, interpreting data from Parker SE, Collett BR, Werler MM: Maternal acetaminophen use during pregnancy and childhood behavioural problems: Discrepancies between mother- and teacher-reported outcomes. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 2020, 34:299-308. 10.1111/ppe.12601).}

^{[6] Paracetamol use during pregnancy—a call for precautionary action, Bauer, A.Z., Swan, S.H., Kriebel, D., Liew, Z., Taylor, H.S., Bornehag, C.G., Andrade, A.M., Olsen, J., Jensen, R.H., Mitchell, R.T. and Skakkebaek, N.E., 2021. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 17(12), pp.757-766.}