Web Site Aims to Help Parents Detect Early Signs of Autism

Video Clips Show Behavioral 'Red Flags'

Stefanie Voss plays a game with her son Nicholas in Tallahassee. Diagnosed with autism at 17 months old, he now gets speech lessons, physical therapy and behavior training, and is affectionate, talking, walking and in preschool. "It shows you that all your hard work and early intervention pays off," Voss said. (By Steve Cannon -- Associated Press)

CHICAGO -- What's so unusual about a baby fascinated with spinning a cup, or a toddler flapping his hands, or a preschooler walking on her toes?

Parents and even doctors sometimes miss these red flags for autism, but a new online video "glossary" makes them startlingly clear.

Dozens of video clips contrast the behavior of autistic kids with that of unaffected children. Some of the side-by-side differences can make you gasp. Others are more subtle.

The free Web site, debuting today, also defines and depicts "stimming," echolalia and other confusing-sounding terms that describe autistic behavior. Stimming refers to repetitive, self-stimulating or soothing behavior, including hand-flapping and rocking, that autistic children sometimes do in reaction to light, sounds or excitement. Echolalia is echoing or repeating someone else's words or phrases, sometimes out of context.

The Web site is sponsored by the nonprofit advocacy groups Autism Speaks and First Signs. They hope the site, http://www.autismspeaks.org/video/glossary.php, will promote early diagnosis and treatment, which can help children with autism lead more normal lives.

Michael Wasserman, a New Orleans pediatrician, cautioned that the site might lead some parents to needlessly fret about normal behavior variations.

But Amy Wetherby, a Florida State University professor who helped create the site, noted that it "will help give them terms to take to the doctor and say, 'I'm worried about it.' "