Possible early signs of autism include a lack of eye contact, language delays, and very few gestures or facial expressions. If you are concerned about autism, see your child’s healthcare provider right away.
It is natural for parents and caregivers to want to be aware of the signs of autism so that they can recognize them if needed. Autism does not affect a child’s appearance, so diagnosis depends on identifying changes in their behaviors or developmental milestones, like language delays and milestone regression.
Infants begin to make eye contact at an early age, and most can locate faces and hold eye contact by 2 months of age. Infants use eye contact to learn about their surroundings and build social bonds with their caregivers. Babies with autism tend to make less eye contact than those who do not have the condition.
Another possible sign of autism in infants is a lack of joint attention. Joint attention happens when an infant or young child looks back and forth between an object and the person they are with. Looking back at a parent or caregiver is a way that young children connect with others and have shared experiences. Children with a delay or lack of joint attention may be at an increased risk of autism.
Most infants are able to respond to their name by 6 months of age. Most babies respond to their name by this age, especially when spoken by their mother. Babies with autism may not react to hearing their name.
Babies and young children with autism show a pattern of not responding to their names. For this to be a sign of autism, it cannot happen once or twice. Infants who rarely, if ever, respond to their names by 9 months of age may be at risk of .
A common sign of autism is repetitive movements, like rocking, spinning, or flapping one’s hands. These behaviors may provide a soothing effect for people with autism. Possible repetitive movements in infants may include:
It is common for children to favor a particular toy or repeat certain behaviors. Talk with your child’s healthcare provider if you are concerned about repetitive movements.
is a common sign of autism. Most children with autism display some language delays or differences. Some children with autism may reach language milestones as babies and toddlers, but start to regress around preschool age. Young children may begin to regress in language skills around 15 to 24 months.
All babies and toddlers learn to speak and communicate at different times. However, if a child has not started to say words by 16 months, they should undergo an .
Babies communicate their emotions of happiness, sadness, and anger through facial expressions. Research shows that school-age children with autism tend to show fewer facial expressions than those without autism. If you notice that your infant or young child does not show emotions by smiling or frowning, talk with their healthcare provider.
Before a baby learns to talk, they often use gestures such as pointing to communicate. For many children, gesturing is one of their earliest attempts to connect with loved ones. Babies and children with autism tend to use gestures much less often than those without the condition.
By 12 months of age, most babies can follow a caregiver’s gaze and look at what they are pointing at. Most young children can point to out-of-reach objects by 15 months. By 18 months of age, a child will usually point at objects they find interesting and look back at their parents or caregivers to show them. Children with autism do not display these developmental milestones.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all children be screened for autism at their well-child checkups at 18 and 24 months of age. Research shows that early diagnosis and intervention are associated with improved outcomes for children with autism.
You can also request that your child’s healthcare provider perform a screening if you are concerned about any possible signs of autism. If your child shows any signs of regression, see their healthcare provider right away.
Your child’s healthcare provider will look for any signs of autism at their well-child checkups, in addition to performing regular screenings. It is important to note that not all children who screen positive for autism will be diagnosed with the condition. The screening tools are imperfect, and children and infants change as they grow and develop.
If your child’s healthcare provider suspects that they have autism, they will refer you for formal testing. Diagnostic testing includes interviews with parents or caregivers about the child’s development, behaviors, and any signs of regression. The process also involves observing your child play and communicate. Several healthcare providers may be involved in the diagnostic process. They may include pediatricians, therapists, psychologists, and occupational therapists.
