As a parent, navigating the early stages of your child’s development can feel overwhelming. You may wonder if your child’s development is progressing as it should or question whether certain behaviors are red flags.

This confusion is normal because, in most cases, we simply don’t know what to look for early on. You’re not an expert in identifying developmental issues, and that’s okay.

Here’s the thing: many parents experience concerns when they notice their child’s progress is different from an older sibling’s or a friend’s child. This often leads to a Google search, where you see tons of information without clear direction.

It’s important to acknowledge that you’re on the right track—you’re seeking knowledge.

Today, we’ll discuss common signs of autism in children and why getting a professional evaluation makes all the difference. Keep in mind that many children may show some signs of autism but aren’t necessarily autistic.

The key takeaway? Always consult with a professional if you’re uncertain.

Understanding the Early Stages of Autism

You’re not alone in feeling somewhat lost during these early stages of recognizing potential signs of autism. 

Why is this phase confusing for so many? 

It’s because most parents aren’t trained to spot subtle signs of developmental disabilities. It’s easy to dismiss early signs as quirks or even as developmental differences that your child will outgrow.

But once the questions start forming in your mind, perhaps because your child isn’t reaching certain milestones, it’s essential to recognize that early identification can lead to early intervention. 

The earlier we can understand a child’s unique needs, the sooner we can provide the support they deserve.

What is Autism?

If you’re not entirely clear on what autism is, you’re certainly not alone. According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), autism is a developmental disability significantly affecting non-verbal and verbal communication and social interaction. These challenges are usually noticeable before a child turns three and tend to impact education.

Key Autism Characteristics May Include:

• Difficulty with social interaction
• Challenges in communicating
• Engagement in repetitive activities and stereotyped movements
• Strong resistance to changes in daily routines
• Unusual responses to sensory experiences

These symptoms present themselves differently in each child. 

While signs may be obvious in some children from an early age, they can be subtler for others. This makes it even more critical to look closely at early behaviors for potential indicators.

Early Signs of Autism by Age

Keep in mind many children who are NOT autistic tend to show a few of these signs of autism. It is for this reason that it’s imperative to seek a professional evaluation if you feel like your child may be autistic. 

– Around 6 Months

You might notice a lack of big smiles or other joyful expressions. Eye contact during interactions may also be minimal or non-existent. 

Babies at this age are usually quite expressive, so if your child isn’t offering warm looks or smiles, this could be one of the early signs of autism.

– At 9 Months

At this point, some children with autism may not engage in the typical back-and-forth sharing of sounds or facial expressions like smiles. 

Getting a reciprocal response from your baby may be more challenging, which usually signals early social-communication development.

– Around 1 Year

Babbling is a key milestone around the one-year mark, but it may be limited or completely absent in children showing signs of autism. 

Typical back-and-forth gestures are infrequent or non-existent, such as: 

• Pointing 
• Showing
• Reaching
• Waving

Another common sign to be aware of is your child might not respond to their name when called. This can sometimes be dismissed as a quirk but may indicate a deeper issue.

– Around 16 Months

By this age, children with autism might not be using meaningful two-phrase words such as “want drink” or “go park.” Your child’s language development may be delayed, signaling it’s time to consult a professional.

General Signs at Any Age

Autism doesn’t only manifest in infancy. You may notice these signs as your child grows older:

• Loss of previously acquired speech (such as babbling or simple words)
• Diminishing social skills
• Avoiding eye contact
• A strong preference for solitude
• Have difficulty understanding other people’s feelings
• Delayed or slowed language development
• Persistent repetition of words or phrases
• Resistance to even minor changes in routines or surroundings (this could be a source of stress for your child and could lead to emotional reactions)
• Restricted interests focused intensely on only one or two topics or activities
• Repetitive behaviors, such as hand-flapping, spinning and rocking back and forth
• Unusually intense reactions to sensory inputs such as sounds, smells, tastes, lights, colors, or textures

Recognizing these behaviors in your child doesn’t confirm autism but does make it worth seeking an assessment from a healthcare professional.

My Child Has Signs of Autism Now What? 

If you’re concerned your child may be displaying signs of autism, taking some preliminary steps at home can provide insight. One option is completing the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised (M-CHAT-R).

– Self-Assessment Tools: M-CHAT-R

The M-CHAT-R is a widely used tool for identifying potential signs of autism in toddlers aged 16 to 30 months. It consists of 20 questions about your child’s behavior. 

This questionnaire is designed to highlight whether a professional evaluation may be beneficial by revealing patterns in your child’s development. 

The beauty of this tool is that the results can be valuable when discussing any concerns with your child’s healthcare provider. Professionals use this information to see if further testing or evaluation is necessary.

– Consulting with Health Care Providers

If the results of the M-CHAT-R suggest a potential need for evaluation, your next step is connecting with your child’s doctor or a developmental specialist for a professional assessment. 

This evaluation could be instrumental in identifying autism at an early stage, allowing you and your child to access services and support much sooner.

Understanding Labels in Special Education

Let’s take a moment to talk about something many parents worry about: labels. 

You may have heard someone say labels are bad and lead to stigma or make children feel different. 

However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

The purpose of labels in special education is to ensure children get the services they need to succeed. 

For example, a diagnosis of autism will help trigger the appropriate services at school, such as: 

• IEP (Individualized Education Plan)
• Speech therapy
• Behavioral interventions such as ABA and PBIS
• Physical and Occupational therapy
• Extended school year (ESY)
• Assistive technology

Usually, these supports can even start before your child enters a classroom.

If you’re hesitating, understand that labeling your child with a learning disability or autism doesn’t pigeonhole them. It opens doors to personalized learning opportunities tailored to their strengths and challenges.

We’ve seen firsthand how beneficial this can be in cases where children haven’t been formally diagnosed but still need help. By addressing their unique learning styles, we help them make incredible progress, boosting their confidence and turning “I can’t” into “Maybe I can.”

Importance of Individualized Education

At its core, an individualized education experience looks beyond labels and diagnoses. It’s about showing respect for how your child learns best, even if that means finding alternate methods to reach the same academic goals as other kids.

This personalized approach can be the very thing that sparks the belief in your child that they can succeed. 

Through tailored teaching strategies and interventions, we’ve seen tremendous boosts in self-confidence alongside massive progress in skills. The incremental success that comes with learning in a comfortable environment fosters long-term, sustainable growth.

Additional Support and Resources

If you have questions or would like to better understand your child’s learning needs, resources are available to help. 

You can schedule a free consultation and see how working one-on-one with a special needs tutor might help build the foundation your child needs for long-term success. We can work together to give your child the personalized approach they need.

Feel free to reach out—having a conversation can open up pathways to success you may not have considered before.

Read here for more information on the overall benefits of special education tutoring, and check out this guide on tutoring for autism.

Final Thoughts

Spotting the early signs of autism in children is challenging but crucial. Knowing what to look for and when to seek a professional evaluation can make all the difference in ensuring your child receives the support they need to thrive. Labels and diagnoses are tools that unlock essential learning interventions—not stigmas to fear.

You’re never alone in navigating the special education process. Personalized resources are always available to help guide your child to success.

Lastly, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Don’t hesitate to explore the many services we offer to help children with special needs reach their full potential.