Do Babies with Autism Smile?

When babies smile, it’s one of the cutest things that they do, and it elicits responses filled with “oohs” and “aahs” from parents and others who see it. But, did you know that smiling is also an important part of a child’s development?

That’s because for babies, smiling is a form of communication. It helps them to express what they are feeling while also establishing a social connection with the people who are around them.

Smiling can promote necessary bonding between babies and those who care for them, which helps to foster a sense of security for the baby and positive relationships between them and their caregivers.

Infants will typically first begin smiling as a way to respond to things that are happening around them. This could include hearing a recognizable and comforting voice or seeing a face that’s familiar to them.

Social smiling is considered a major milestone for infants, since it indicates their ability to socially engage with others.

Babies with autism may experience many developmental delays and challenges that neurotypical babies don’t experience. One of those developmental milestones that may be affected by their disability is smiling.

Below, we’ll take a closer look at how autism affects whether a baby smiles.

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Do Babies with Autism Smile?

Like everything in relation to children with autism, the quick answer is: It depends.

Autism spectrum disorder covers a wide range of developmental disorders, and it affects each individual in a very unique way. In other words, there’s not always a definitive yes or no response to how one child may be affected by autism.

Babies with autism certainly can smile, but when and how they smile may differ from neurotypical individuals. Some could exhibit delayed smiling, while others might not smile as frequently as others.

Some babies with autism may exhibit what are known as “non-social smiles,” which means they smile without a direct external stimulus or to their own self-stimulation.

What Can Affect the Ability of a Baby with Autism to Smile?

There are many different factors that can affect the ability of a baby with autism to smile.

One common factor is sensitivities to sensory stimuli. Babies with autism might be hyposensitive or hypersensitive to light, sound or touch, for instance. This could mean that instead of feeling joy and happiness at hearing a familiar sound such as their mother’s voice, they might feel overwhelmed or feel discomfort.

As a result, instead of smiling in reaction to hearing that sound, babies with autism might seem confused, distressed or withdrawn.

Many children with autism also struggle with social connections and interactions. Since smiling is a major form of communication for infants, it wouldn’t be a surprise, then, if babies with autism don’t smile when they should.

In this way, it might actually be difficult for babies with autism to smile. In fact, this may be one of the first ways that they struggle to express their emotions or communicate their needs.

Early Detection of Smiling Delays is Crucial

Identifying whether your child is hitting their developmental milestones or not is important, as it can lead to early detection of autism or other developmental disorders. And when ASD is detected early, intervention can be started early, which then increases their effectiveness.

That’s why the American Academy of Pediatrics has created a full list of developmental milestones for parents to pay attention to. These milestones should be reviewed by your child’s pediatrician each time they go for a well visit.

The AAP says that at 2 months old, babies should calm down when they’re picked up or spoken to, should look at their parents’ face, should seem happy when their parents approach them and should smile when they’re talked to or smiled at.

If you recognize that your child isn’t smiling in this way — or isn’t meeting some of their other developmental milestones — talk to their pediatrician about any next steps that should be taken.

Types of Interventions for Babies with Autism

Applied behavioral analysis, or ABA therapy, is one of the most effective treatments for children with autism. ABA therapy can be started at a very young age, giving children on the autism spectrum plenty of time to develop the social, communication and daily life skills they need to succeed.

ABA therapy is backed by scientific research and based on principles of behavioralism to teach children these skills, using repetition and rewards to encourage them to exhibit desired behaviors.

So, if your child is not hitting their developmental milestones, it’s important to get them assessed for ASD or other developmental disorders so the appropriate interventions can be started as soon as possible.

Blue Gems ABA Helps Support Children with Autism

Babies with autism may not smile like neurotypical individuals do, as they commonly face challenges associated with communication, social interaction and sensory stimuli.

But, that doesn’t mean they can’t build these skills over time and live happy and fulfilling lives.

At Blue Gems ABA, our team of licensed and experienced BCBAs are committed to working with children with ASD every day to help them build these essential skills.

To learn more, please contact us today.