Toddlers are funny little humans. Their personalities are starting to shine and their mannerisms are becoming more prominent. This is when as a parent you begin to notice certain habits forming. Head tilts can mean various things from conditions namely, Torticollis but when a toddler keeps tilting head to shoulder are they showing signs of autism?
Toddler Keeps Tilting Head To Shoulder – When To Worry
Is a toddler who keeps tilting head to shoulder autism? Autism in toddlers can be overlooked. Usually if a toddler continues repeating movements such as excessive blinking, head tilting, and shaking it can signal autistic tendencies. Autism is difficult to diagnose in younger children therefore a toddler who keeps on tilting their head to shoulder could be showing signs of Torticollis. This is a common condition that can be easily treated depending on severity.
Childhood Milestones
As parents our main wish in life is that our children develop and grow as expected. It is when we are faced with challenges and differences as our baby’s grow that the doubt and uncertainty can set in. Throughout this article we will look closely at why a baby keeps tilting head to shoulder.
We watch our babies attentively ticking off those all important milestones. From holding their heads, sitting, crawling to walking. We are all eager for them to master these achievements. When you have little humans running around you may notice several differences in their development. I am sure I don’t need to reinforce the understanding that milestones are merely guidelines and every baby/toddler may grasp different ones earlier or later than others but what does it mean when you notice a habit forming? There are several reasons why a toddler keeps tilting head to shoulder.
Is This Tilting Head Autism?
Parents are always concerned about whether they would recognise the signs and symptoms of Autism in their child. The Autistic spectrum is extremely large and many children may only show slight signs especially in their first years. As a main carer you may hate to face the fact there are tendencies present but how do you decipher from your child showing signs of ASD and normal development?
According to one study ” The Onset of Autism ” from the age of two you can begin to indicate early signs that your child could be on the spectrum.
The easiest way of detecting autistic tendencies is to measure a child’s milestones compared to common expectations for their age. Noticing a head tilt doesn’t mean that your child is definitely on the spectrum. Take a read below to see if your child is displaying more signs.
Signs Of Autism
It is unfair for you to diagnose your child based on articles online. You may find that many of the following signs of ASD coincide with maturity levels of your toddler, so if you suspect any indication that your child could be showing signs of autism then you should seek advice from an educated professional.
‣ Social Interaction
Lack of social interaction is usually the first signal that something is underlying. Children can be odd characters but noticing the following could highlight a social difficulty.
- Your child struggles to form relationships.
- Cannot maintain eye contact.
- Finds social situations difficult.
‣ Impared Communication
Children communicate with peers and adults at different times. Children who are showing delayed development in this area may need assessments from speech and language therapists to rule out any indicators of ASD.
- Non verbal
- Impairment to initiate conversation
- Repetitive language
- Lack of spontaneous play
‣ Repetitive Behaviours and Physical Mannerisms
Having attachments to music, films and other media they enjoy is common in childhood. Honestly we had ‘Frozen’ on repeat for 6 months in my house. But noticing that your child is repeating things they have heard over and over, or only finding comfort in certain songs can signal ASD.
Physical mannerisms can also manifest in several ways. The reason you are concerned is because you have noticed a head tilt. This is only one of the common motor mannerisms on toddlers with ASD.
‣ Inability To Show Interest In Other Activities
Children develop interests which are healthy but a child with ASD will have this fascination last longer than you would expect.
Your child will have interests that come and go but children with ASD tend to develop a passion that lasts longer. For example, a child with an obsession in only playing with blocks may refrain from any other toys, this could lead to a passion in architecture as an adult. So it doesn’t have to be all negative!
‣ Inflexibility Of Routine Change
Routine change is hard for many of us but a child with ASD will show anxiety and become agitated if their routine changes in any way.
If you find you need to explain changes in depth to your child to prevent a melt down then this can signal an ASD trait but could also be a maturity issue.
What About Torticollis?
Of course if you have only noticed a head tilt in your child then it’s highly unlikely an ASD diagnosis will be needed.
This is when you could be looking more toward a condition called Torticollis. Kids Health suggests that Congenital Muscular Torticollis can develop if your baby was cramped in the womb, if you had a multiple birth, or an assisted delivery.
A baby tilting head to shoulder can indicate a muscle spasm. The head tilt develops when the band of muscle that runs from the head down the neck and to the collar bone, namely, sternocleidomastoid muscle, has been in one position for too long. It can affect babies and toddlers alike so it would depend whether it’s a spasm from birth or developed over a preferred sleeping position.
Thankfully Torticollis is not thought to give you major concern and your doctor will suggest exercises or minor surgery depending on the severity.
Can It Appear In Older Children?
As we now know Torticollis usually presents itself in young babies and children but seeing as it is a muscle spasm it can be triggered alongside common illnesses like tonsillitis. If your toddler has stiffness in their neck they will be more susceptible to holding their head in a certain way.
Not to mention waking after sleeping in an awkward position which can also send the neck muscles into spasm.
Usually, an older child will regain neck control after a few days.
Other Reasons For A Head Tilt
There are other reasons for your toddler displaying this new appearance. As a mom myself I understand that you automatically jump to the worst outcome. It must be the way we are programmed! But noticing your toddler holding their head to a specific side doesn’t have to mean the worst!
‣ Teething
A baby tilting head to shoulder could be trying to self-soothe from teething or dental pain. The ears, nose, and throat are all connected so if there’s an issue in one area pain can be displayed in another area. Typical baby aspirin could help initially but if the issue is ongoing you may need medical assistance.
‣ Ear Infections
A ear infection is common among young children. They are usually present with an abundance of pain and soreness. Your toddler will hold the affected ear before telling you it hurts.
‣ Water
We have all been there, water in our ears has to be up there with the most frustrating and uncomfortable feeling ever! Unfortunately holding the head to one side could indicate a water blockage which will work its way out on its own.
‣ Ear Wax
A buildup of Earwax can cause temporary deafness especially if it is blocking the eardrum. Usually, room temp olive oil can help dissolve excess wax but seek medical advice for the best course of action for your toddler.
When To Seek Advice
To put it in black and white it is obvious for any of the above conditions you would need a doctor’s advice and examination to help get to the bottom of what’s causing your toddler discomfort.
Don’t delay if you notice they seem physically limited. Getting attention sooner rather than later will help gain early treatment if it is needed.
Above all diagnosing your baby yourself can cause unnecessary stress and anxiety so go in armed with information but leave the medical diagnosis to the experts.
Wrapping Up
If your toddler keeps tilting their head to shoulder it could be an innocent issue that is common among little ones.
If after reading the information about Autism you have identified a few similarities in the signs then seek advice. It is hard but try not to diagnose your toddler before seeking advice on the other hand you know your child best. So don’t delay if you suspect ASD.
It is important that you recognize ASD is not the only diagnosis you may face. Torticollis being common amongst developing little ones could mean you introduce simple exercises or if it is something minor like an ear infection you could be prescribed antibiotics.
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