Early Signs of Autsim

A child playing, interacting, or moving differently might not be cause for concern but can be an early sign of autism. Children may show signs of autism by 12 to 18 months of age or even earlier. Here are some early signs of autism that you might notice: 

Communication

• Repeats or echoes words and sounds
• Was using words but then stopped
• Moves or pulls your hand to what they want, often without looking at you
• Asks for help by using another person’s hand as a tool (e.g., putting caregiver’s hand on a container for them to open)
• Not using gestures such as waving, clapping, lifting their arms to be picked up, pointing, or shaking their head to refuse  

Social Interaction and Engagement

• Shows enjoyment by looking intensely at objects, flapping hands or jumping up and down
• Looks away or at an object when talking or being talked to
• Chooses to play on their own and joining your child’s play can be difficult
• May not respond to their name being called but reacts to other sounds
• Changing routines and handling surprises, even good ones, can be hard 

Play

• Plays with the same toy in the same way even when new toys are available
• Likes order and will lines up toys and objects
• Repeats a play sequence over and over
• Intense interest in objects, actions, letters or numbers
• Focuses on sensory aspects of objects such as its smell, taste, feel, sound or small details
• Sounds, touch and movement games may cause distress