Early Signs of Autism

1. Social Interaction: Eye Contact and Social Engagement
    

   • ​Characteristics of Autism: Children with autism may struggle with making eye contact or connecting with others. They might seem uninterested in playing with other children or may not respond when you call their name. Some might even avoid social situations entirely.
      

   • Neurotypical Behavior: Babies and toddlers may avoid eye contact or seem uninterested in playing with others at certain points in their development. As they grow, many children naturally become more social and start enjoying eye contact and social play.
      

   • What to Keep in Mind: A shy child or one going through a phase of lower social interest may just need time to warm up. However, if your child consistently struggles with social interactions, it’s a good idea to speak with a doctor.
      

2. Repetitive Behaviors: Routines and Interests
    

   • Characteristics of Autism: Children with autism might become fixated on routines, activities, or toys. For example, they might insist on using the same toy daily, line up their toys, or repeat actions like hand-flapping or spinning objects. Changes in their routine might upset them.
      

   • Neurotypical Behavior: Many young children enjoy repetition and have favorite toys or activities. They might want to read the same book repeatedly or follow the same routine at bedtime. This helps children feel safe as they learn.
      

   • What to Keep in Mind: If your child becomes very upset by small changes or has extreme reactions to certain activities or toys, it may be worth looking into further.
      

3. Language Development: Delays and Speech Patterns
    

   • Characteristics of Autism: Some children with autism may speak later than expected or have unusual speech patterns. They might repeat words or phrases (echolalia) or have difficulty using gestures or facial expressions along with their words.
      

   • Neurotypical Behavior: Language development varies widely. Some children talk later, and it’s normal for toddlers to imitate sounds and words as they learn.
      

   • What to Keep in Mind: If your child’s delayed speech is combined with other signs, such as not responding to their name or struggling with following simple directions, early speech support might be beneficial.
      

4. Sensory Sensitivities: Reactions to Sensory Input
    

   • Characteristics of Autism: Children with autism might have strong reactions to sensory input. Loud noises, bright lights, or certain textures might upset them. They might also seem indifferent to things like pain or temperature.
      

   • Neurotypical Behavior: It’s normal for young children to have preferences or dislikes for certain textures, sounds, or smells. For instance, they might dislike wearing certain clothes or cover their ears when something is loud.
      

   • What to Keep in Mind: If your child is consistently sensitive to sensory input in a way that affects daily life, it’s something to talk about with a professional.
      

5. Play: Playing Alone vs. Playing with Others
    

   • Characteristics of Autism: Autistic children may prefer playing alone and avoid pretend or imaginative play. They might focus on one part of a toy (like spinning the wheels on a car) or line up objects instead of playing with them in a typical way.
      

   • Neurotypical Behavior: Many children play alone at certain ages and often enjoy repetitive play before they develop imaginative play skills.
      

   • What to Keep in Mind: If your child consistently avoids social play or only plays alone in a repetitive way, it could be worth watching more closely.
      

6. Motor Skills: Coordination and Movement
    

   • Characteristics of Autism: Children with autism might have difficulty with coordination and movement. Running, jumping, or using fine motor skills like holding a spoon might be harder for them. Some may walk on their toes or have unusual movement patterns.
      

   • Neurotypical Behavior: It’s normal for young children to be clumsy or still developing their motor skills, such as learning to use scissors or getting better at writing.
      

   • What to Keep in Mind: If your child seems to have significant motor challenges that don’t improve with age, consider talking to your doctor.

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