Finding out that your child might be developing differently than their peers can feel like a whirlwind of emotions. As a parent, your intuition is one of your most powerful tools. Understanding the early signs of autism—often referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)—isn’t about labeling a child; it’s about unlocking the right support systems to help them thrive. Because autism is a spectrum, it looks different in every child. However, there are common developmental “milestones” and behaviors that may indicate a need for a professional conversation.
Birth to 12 Months: Noticing the “Social Dance”
In the first year, most signs of autism relate to social communication—the way a baby interacts with your face, voice, and gestures.
- Limited Eye Contact: By 6 months, most babies gaze into their caregivers’ eyes. A child on the spectrum may avoid eye contact or look “through” people.
- Delayed Smiling: You might notice a lack of “big smiles” or joyful expressions by 6 months.
- Lack of Back-and-Forth: By 9 months, babies usually mimic sounds, smiles, or facial expressions. A sign to watch for is a lack of sharing these “back-and-forth” moments.
- Responsiveness to Name: By 12 months, most babies turn when their name is called. If a child consistently doesn’t respond, it’s worth noting.
12 to 24 Months: Language and Gestures
As children enter their second year, the focus shifts toward how they use language and physical gestures to get their point across.
- Lack of Gesturing: By 12 months, many children point, wave, or reach. A child on the spectrum may not use these gestures to communicate their needs.
- Loss of Skills: This is a significant indicator: if a child who was babbling or saying a few words suddenly stops doing so, or loses a social skill they once had.
- Preference for Solitude: You might notice the child seems to be in “their own world,” preferring to play alone rather than seeking out your attention.
- Repetitive Movements: This is the age where “stimming” (self-stimulatory behavior) may become more apparent, such as hand-flapping, rocking, or spinning.
2 to 5 Years: Patterns and Play
By preschool age, signs often become clearer as children are expected to interact more with peers and follow routines.
Social Challenges
- Difficulty with “Pretend Play”: While other children are “feeding” a doll or “driving” a cardboard box car, a child on the spectrum may play with toys in a repetitive way (e.g., lining up cars for hours or spinning the wheels instead of rolling the car).
- Difficulty Understanding Feelings: They may struggle to talk about their own feelings or understand what others are feeling.
Behavioral Patterns
- Intense Interests: A child might become very focused on a specific topic (like trains, maps, or certain numbers) to the exclusion of everything else.
- Need for Routine: Significant distress over small changes—like taking a different route to school or using a different colored plate—is common.
- Sensory Sensitivities: They may be over- or under-sensitive to smells, textures, lights, or sounds (e.g., covering their ears at the sound of a vacuum cleaner).
A Note on “Early Intervention”
If you recognize several of these signs in your child, please take a deep breath. Acknowledging these signs is the first step toward Early Intervention. The brain is incredibly “plastic” in these early years, meaning it is highly adaptable. Research shows that specialized support can significantly improve a child’s ability to communicate and navigate the world comfortably.
Important: These signs do not provide a diagnosis on their own. They are simply “check-ins.” A professional evaluation provides clarity and peace of mind.
What should you do next?
If you have concerns, your best first step is to speak with your pediatrician and request a formal developmental screening. You are your child’s best advocate, and seeking answers is an act of love.
