Why Does My Baby Love Ceiling Fans? Is It Autism?

If you’re a new parent, you can watch your little ones intently, figuring out who they are and watching as they learn and grow.

Sometimes, when we watch out for babies, we notice that they are fixated on particular household objects – like ceiling fans.

So, is your baby simply fascinated with the ceiling fan? Or is there something more complex, like autism, at work? Here’s what you need to know regarding autism and the early signs of the disorder.

What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Autism spectrum disorder is a disorder that relates to brain structure. Those with autism spectrum disorder are born with differences in their brain. Often, you will see autism described as ‘neurodivergent’, and you can see those without autism described as ‘neurotypical’. These are medical terms used to distinguish between typical brains and the brains of those with an autism spectrum disorder.

The disorder affects many things in both children and adults, and it is a lifelong disorder. Autism can affect different individuals to varying degrees, to the extent that it might be virtually unnoticeable in some and unmistakable in others.

Some key signs of autism spectrum disorder include:

• Overstimulation – loud noises, bright lights, and other sensory stimuli can cause those with ASD to become distressed and overwhelmed.

• Self-harming or repetitive behaviors – in severe cases, those with autism can have compulsive and repetitive movements, such as clapping or rubbing their hands. Sometimes, this repetition can be linked to self-harming behaviors like head banging.

• Inability to play pretend – a child with autism may be unable to play pretend and make-believe. In adults, this can present as a lack of comprehension of sarcasm.

• Early learning difficulties – babies with autism may struggle in their early learning, taking longer to develop speech skills.

As you can understand, autism requires particular focus and attention from parents to help their children develop valuable life skills and have a good quality of life. Spotting the signs of autism early on can help you to adapt and provide your child with the support they need as soon as possible. 

Why Does My Child Stare At The Ceiling Fan? Is It Autism?

Parents can be anxious during their child’s early development years, looking for signs of any disorder to take action and improve their child’s life. However, this can often mean that we read into the more minor signs.

If your child is staring at the ceiling fan, you may begin to wonder whether this is due to autism or not. Babies often stare at objects during their formative years because their eyesight is still developing. This makes moving objects all the more fascinating. Your baby is learning to use their eyes and training them to focus on an object while it is in motion.

Babies staring at ceiling fans are highly healthy and normal and are not typically a sign of autism. Sometimes, this behavior can indicate that your child has heightened levels of awareness.

Many parents mistake this behavior for the hyper-interest that is often present in autistic individuals and babies. Autism can present in a person as a hyper-interest in a specific object or idea. The autistic individual may know all of the parts necessary to make up the object without understanding the meaning or purpose of the object. 

Although hyper interest is a symptom of autism, this does not mean that this is why your baby is fixed on the ceiling fan. Babies are supposed to stare and engage with the world around them during their early developmental stages.

What Are The Other Signs That My Child Might Have Autism?

Suppose you’re concerned about any other behaviors your child shows and want to know whether these behaviors are linked to autism. In that case, you might benefit from getting to know the early signs and symptoms of autism a little better.

Here are signs of autism during early development:

• Not responding to their name – at around the 6-month mark, your baby should begin to respond to their name. If you do not see any sign that your baby knows their name, this could be a sign of autism.
• Avoiding eye contact – when engaging with your baby, they should pay attention to you and look you in the eyes. If your baby avoids eye contact, this could be a sign of autism.
• Not smiling – it is normal for babies to begin smiling when you smile, mimicking your behavior. If your baby is not smiling when you smile at them, this could be a sign of autism.
• Upset by stimuli – if your baby is autistic, they could become extremely distressed when they do not like a new sound, taste, or smell.
• Repetitive motions – if your baby is constantly rocking, flicking their fingers, or moving repetitively, this could be an early sign of autism spectrum disorder.
• Not talking – sometimes, autistic children may not develop speaking skills as quickly as neurotypical children. If your baby is not talking, this could indicate autism spectrum disorder.
• Repeating phrases – if your baby is talking but is only repeating a few different words, this could be a symptom of autism spectrum disorder.

If your child shows some or all of these symptoms, this may indicate autism spectrum disorder. However, on the other hand, many neurotypical children also display these symptoms. So, to be sure whether your child has ASD, you should seek professional guidance and have your baby seen by a professional with extensive knowledge of autism.

If you spot the signs of autism in your baby early, this can help create a structured learning path that accommodates your baby’s needs. Spotting autism early can help you to improve your child’s quality of life and help them to adjust to a neurotypical schooling environment.

Summary

As a parent, it can be an ever-present worry that your child might be showing signs of autism. If you’re aware of the signs and symptoms of autism and looking for them in your child, this puts you in a better position to spot it early on and develop plans and strategies for raising your child with ASD. However, if your baby is staring at the ceiling fan, there is no need for concern. This is normal behavior, and it is not a sign of ASD in your baby.

^{[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.}