Recognizing the early signs of autism in babies and toddlers can be difficult, especially for parents who are unfamiliar with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and don’t know what to look out for. It can be challenging to tell whether delays in milestones or certain behaviors are part of typical development or if they could indicate something else. In this article, Flywheel Centers expert staff will review some key early signs of autism to be aware of.
Signs of Autism in Babies
Most parents recognize signs of autism in their children by the time they turn two. However, a sizeable percentage of caregivers may notice something wrong before a child’s first birthday. Read on to learn about early signs of autism that may be present in a baby’s first year.
Signs of Autism in a 6-Month-Old
By six months, babies usually hit some key milestones when it comes to social interaction and communication. These include:
- Starting to make eye contact is a crucial milestone that helps them connect with others.
- Smiling back at familiar faces or when they recognize someone, shows growing social awareness.
- Getting excited or showing recognition when they see familiar faces, signaling they’re learning to differentiate between people.
- Making sounds such as cooing or babbling.
- Reacting to sounds, such as voices, by turning their head or showing interest, indicates an increased awareness of their surroundings.
- Engaging with others, babies start showing interest in people and often try to connect with caregivers through cooing, babbling, or reaching out.
However, if your baby:
- Avoids eye contact
- Doesn’t make many sounds
- Doesn’t smile much
- Doesn’t respond to your facial expressions
- Doesn’t try to engage with you
These could be early signs of autism in infants. Babies with ASD might seem indifferent, uninterested, and unresponsive, not reacting to familiar people, sounds, or voices. You may also notice an infant with autism often shaking their head from side to side.
Signs of Autism in a 1-Year-Old
By 12 months, babies begin to engage more actively with the world around them. Most babies:
- Start using gestures like waving, pointing, or reaching to communicate.
- Begin babbling or trying out simple words like “mama” or “dada.”
- Typically respond to their name when called.
- Engage more with others by making eye contact, smiling, and reacting to familiar people.
- Imitate simple actions like clapping or waving.
- Enjoy interactive play, like peek-a-boo or playing with toys.
However, if your baby shows any of the following signs, it might be worth paying closer attention:
- Not using gestures like waving or pointing to communicate or show interest.
- Not vocalizing much or trying to say words like “mama” or “dada.”
- Not responding to their name when called or seeming uninterested in social interactions.
- Avoiding eye contact or not reacting to familiar people.
- Not imitating actions like clapping or waving.
- Showing little interest in play.
Signs of Autism in Toddlers
The first signs of autism are not always easily apparent in a baby’s first year but often when a child becomes a toddler, signs that something is amiss become more apparent. Below, we will take a look at some of the common signs of autism in toddlers.
Signs of Autism in an 18 Month Old
By 18 months, your baby’s development is picking up speed, and you might start seeing more advanced social and communication behaviors. The following could be potential signs of ASD:
- Limited interest in social play: If your baby isn’t showing much interest in games like peek-a-boo or playing with others, it might be worth looking into.
- Difficulty with shared enjoyment: Babies usually love sharing smiles or laughs with others at this age. If they seem less interested in this, it could be a sign.
Challenges with engaging with caregivers: If your baby seems distant or doesn’t respond much when you try to interact, it’s something to keep an eye on.
Signs of Autism in a 2-Year-Old
By the time your child reaches 24 months, you’ll likely notice more growth in their social and communication skills. Here are some potential signs of autism spectrum disorder in a child:
- Limited spoken words: At 24 months, most toddlers have a growing vocabulary. If your baby isn’t using any words or is still relying on gestures instead of speaking, it might be worth watching closely.
- Lack of joint attention: By this age, toddlers typically enjoy sharing attention with others, like pointing at something to show you or looking at something you’re looking at. If your baby isn’t doing this, it could signal a developmental concern.
- Difficulty expressing needs or emotions: Toddlers usually start expressing their needs and emotions with words or gestures. If your baby struggles to communicate or seems frustrated when trying to express themselves, it’s a sign to keep an eye on.
- Delayed physical development: Some children might show physical signs of autism such as low muscle tone or difficulty with coordination. Though this can be an indicator of autism, physical delays are often associated with other delays or present on their own.
Signs of Autism in 3-Year-Olds or Older Children
As children get older and approach preschool age, you might start noticing certain behaviors that seem a little different from the norm.
Repetitive Behaviors and Restricted Interests
At this stage, it’s common for children with ASD to show repetitive behaviors or develop intense, focused interests in specific things. While this can be normal for many children, when these behaviors become more frequent or intense, it might be something to pay attention to. Here are some examples:
- Repetitive movements: This could be things like rocking back and forth, hand-flapping, or spinning objects over and over again.
- Sticking to the same routines: Some children get very attached to certain routines or rituals, like lining up toys in a specific way or needing things done in a certain order. They may become frustrated or have outbursts if their usual schedule is disrupted.
- Intense focus on one interest: A child might develop a deep, almost obsessive interest in one thing, like trains, numbers, or a specific TV show, and might ignore everything else.
Unusual play patterns: Instead of playing with toys the way they’re intended (like stacking blocks or playing pretend), a child might only want to arrange them in a specific order or focus on one tiny part of the toy.
Social Interaction Challenges
As preschoolers grow, they start to pick up on important social skills, like playing with other kids, pretending, and talking in simple sentences. However, some children may struggle with these things, which could be early signs of autism. Here are a few social challenges to look out for:
- Persistent preference for solitude: While preschoolers typically begin to play alongside other children, engage in pretend play, and share toys, some may prefer to play alone. Even when invited to join in group activities, they might choose solo activities, like playing with toys by themselves in a corner, rather than participating in group play or cooperative games with others.
- Difficulty understanding other people’s feelings: Preschoolers typically start picking up on social cues, like recognizing when someone is happy, sad, or frustrated. A child with autism might have difficulty recognizing these emotions. For example, if a friend is crying, they may not understand how to respond, or they might not notice when someone is smiling or trying to make eye contact. This can make it harder for them to connect with other children or know how to interact in social situations.
- Delayed language development: While many children start speaking in full sentences by age 3, some may have difficulty with language. They might not be saying many words or their speech could be delayed compared to other children their age.
Autism in Girls and Boys
Autism in girls can look very different from autism in boys. Girls are often harder to diagnose than boys as they may hide some of their behaviors by copying how their peers behave. A withdrawn and quiet girl rings less alarm bells than a boy sitting quietly in a corner.
Repetitive behaviors often present differently in autistic girls than those of autistic boys. An autistic girl might like to spend long periods reading, drawing, or playing with dolls. Since these hobbies are all regular pursuits for neurotypical girls as well, a girl with autism might not appear so different from her peers at first glance.
How Early Can You Diagnose Autism?
Autism can be diagnosed at a young age, but it often takes time to make a clear diagnosis. Some behaviors, like delays in speech or social skills, can resemble typical developmental delays and may not necessarily indicate autism. They could also be signs of other conditions, like hearing issues or developmental delays unrelated to autism. That’s why it’s important to consult a healthcare professional. They can help determine whether the behaviors you’re noticing are signs of autism or something else that may require different support or intervention.
How Do You Know if Your Child Has Autism?
While there’s no single test for autism, doctors and psychologists use a combination of methods to assess a child and determine whether autism spectrum disorder (ASD) might be present. They start by observing the child’s behavior, especially during activities like play, to see how they interact with toys, other children, or adults. They also take a look at the child’s developmental history, checking off milestones like when they started speaking, walking, or showing interest in social interactions. In addition, a psychologist or other specialist will assess the child’s communication skills—how they talk or express themselves—and their social abilities, like making eye contact or understanding emotions.
Doctors usually start looking for signs of autism when children are around 18 months to 2 years old, as this is when they’re expected to reach certain milestones. One tool doctors use is called a developmental screening, which is a quick way to see if a child is learning and growing as they should. During the screening, parents might be asked to fill out simple questionnaires or checklists about their child’s behavior, communication, and social skills, helping the professional get a fuller picture of the child.
Why Early Identification Matters
Getting an early diagnosis can lead to early intervention therapies, such as speech therapy or social skills training, which can help the child’s development. While the process may seem overwhelming, it’s an important step in getting the support and resources that can make a big difference for the child.
No two children are the same—each grows at their own pace. However, spotting the early signs of autism can make a world of difference in helping your child succeed and guiding you as a parent on how to best support them. Early recognition allows you to access the right support and intervention, helping you make informed decisions about things like the best preschool or school for your child and areas where they might need extra assistance.
Worried About Early Signs of Autism?
If you’re feeling unsure or concerned about your child’s development, reaching out to a healthcare professional at Flywheel Centers is a great first step to gaining some clarity. They can help you better understand your child’s behavior, offer guidance, and suggest the next steps you might need to take, such as assessments or therapy. Early action helps ensure your child receives the support they need to grow and develop to their fullest potential. Our experienced staff provides the expertise and resources necessary to help autistic children thrive. Contact us today for support with your child’s developmental journey.
