Early Signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder

It's really important to remember that these are just things to watch out for. Only a doctor or specialist can truly diagnose autism. If you have any worries about your child's development, please talk to your doctor right away. Getting help early can make a big difference!

How Your Child Communicates and Interacts with Others:

Not making eye contact: Your child might not look at you in the eyes very often, even when you're holding or feeding them.

Not sharing smiles or expressions: By 9 months, they might not share back and forth smiles or other facial expressions with you.

Not babbling: If your baby isn't babbling by 12 months, that can be a sign.

Not responding to their name: They might not consistently turn their head or react when you call their name by 9-12 months.

Not using gestures: Look for them to point at things they want, wave goodbye, or show you things by 12 months.

Not saying single words: By 16 months, they might not be saying any single words.

Not using two-word phrases: By 24 months, they might not be putting two words together (like "more juice"), other than just repeating what someone else says.

Not sharing interest with you: They might not look back and forth between an object and you to show you something interesting.

Difficulty understanding social cues: They might struggle to understand what different facial expressions mean, the tone of someone's voice, or body language.

Repetitive Behaviors and Special Interests:

Repetitive movements: You might notice them doing things like hand flapping, rocking back and forth, or spinning around.

Unusual ways of playing with toys: They might focus on parts of toys (like spinning the wheels of a car) instead of playing with the whole toy, or they might line up toys in a very specific way.

Getting upset by changes: They might get very distressed if routines change or if things are different in their environment.

Very strong interests: They might become intensely focused on certain topics or objects, more so than other children.

Unusual reactions to senses: They might be very sensitive to certain sounds, textures, lights, or tastes, or not seem to react much at all to things that would bother others.

Other Things to Notice in Development:

Losing skills they once had: If your child suddenly stops babbling, talking, or interacting socially after they've already started.

Delayed physical milestones: While not the main way autism is diagnosed, some children with autism might be a little behind on things like walking or fine motor skills.

What to Do If You Notice These Signs

If you've noticed several of these signs in your child, the most important step is to talk with a healthcare provider. Early evaluation and intervention can significantly improve outcomes for children with autism.

At Amazing Kids, we specialize in virtual autism evaluations for children ages 1-17. Our experienced providers use gold-standard assessment tools to provide families with clear answers and actionable next steps - with no waitlist.

If you're searching for an autism evaluation near me or wondering whether your child should be tested, we're here to help.

👉 Schedule your child's evaluation today to get the clarity and support your family needs.