10 Early Signs of Autism in Toddlers
Diagnosing autism in children can be tricky, as there are no simple scans or blood tests that offer easy answers. Doctors identify autism by evaluating a child’s behavioral patterns and developmental history for autism symptoms. Consequently, most kids aren’t diagnosed until age 4 or older, after having a few years of history for doctors to observe. However, toddlers with autism often show signs much earlier, and can be diagnosed as early as age 2. Research suggests that if a child is diagnosed before age 4, they are more likely to receive effective support throughout their life.
Should I get my toddler tested for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)? Here are 10 clues that they may have a diagnosis:
1. Speech symptoms
Neurotypical infants usually begin to babble between 4-6 months of age. They generally progress to using single words around 12 months, and start speaking in short phrases between 18-24 months. Delays in one or more of these milestones are common in toddlers with autism.
2. Conversation clues
With only a few years of real-world experience, toddlers are known for “saying the darndest things.” But tots with autism may have a notably hard time engaging in back-and-forth dialogue. They may struggle to establish meaningful eye contact – meaning they might be able to align their gaze with yours, but their eyes may show little reaction to your expressions as if they just aren’t tuned in to what you’re feeling. In addition, they might not respond to efforts to get their attention. If they aren’t responding to their name by 12 months, they may be showing signs of ASD.
3. Playtime differences
Have you noticed that your toddler plays differently than other tots their age? Toddlers with autism are less likely to engage in play that uses “make believe,” or requires social collaboration, like hide-and-seek. They may only want to play with a limited selection of toys and their preferred methods of play might include lining objects up or arranging them into categories. It’s common for toddlers with autism to want to play with their toys the same way every time, such as repeatedly completing the same puzzle in a specific order.
4. Social signs
It’s typical for 2-3-year-olds to play near other children without directly interacting with them. This is known as “parallel play.” During parallel play, neurotypical toddlers casually observe and imitate the actions of nearby playmates. For example, if a child is playing with dolls and observes another kid hugging a teddy bear, the child might hug their doll in response. However, children with autism tend to be less observant of those around them. They often prefer to play alone, and may struggle to copy the words and actions of others.
5. Routines & rituals
Does your toddler always want to drink from the same cup? Hear the same bedtime story? Get dressed in the same order every morning? Do they get upset when it’s time to transition from playtime to snack time or bath time to bedtime? Most children thrive on a certain level of structure, but toddlers with autism can feel an intense need for rigid routines. The world can feel very unpredictable for them, so routines and rituals provide a sense of consistency and comfort. As part of their routines, they may fixate on particular words, phrases, or behaviors, and repeat them over and over. They may also exhibit repetitive body movements like hand flapping, body rocking, or spinning.
6. Motor delays
It’s common for toddlers with autism to be 6+ months behind in gross motor development, such as walking, balancing, or carrying objects. They are often 12+ months behind in fine motor development, such as gripping a spoon or doodling with crayons. If they aren’t able to support their head independently by 4 months, sit up without support by 9 months, or stand unassisted by 14 months, autism may be causing their developmental delays.
7. Emotional barriers
Toddlers are known for emotional outbursts, but tots with autism tend to have meltdowns that are more intense and longer lasting than typical tantrums. Unlike tantrums which are usually caused by frustration, meltdowns from autism are generally due to the child feeling overwhelmed. Distractions or incentives that can typically calm a tantrum are usually ineffective in soothing a child with autism. Conversely, some toddlers with autism show little emotion and seldom smile, as they have trouble understanding and expressing emotions.
8. Sensory signs
Toddlers with autism often experience intense sensitivity to sensory stimuli. While many little ones love to crawl all over mom and dad, tots with autism often dislike physical touch from others. They may have little tolerance for certain textures, fabrics, sounds, smells, and sights, or they may only prefer foods at specific temperatures.
Click here to learn more about sensory processing disorder and other processing disorders
9. Exceptional strengths
Children with autism often have exceptional strengths and talents that surpass the abilities of their same-aged peers. They may retain detailed information for extended periods of time, or show early promise in subjects such as math, science, music, or art. It’s common for young children with autism to show a high level of interest in topics outside the norm for their age level.
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10. Co-occurring conditions
Many kids with autism also have other disorders or conditions. Common co-occurring disorders include ADHD, chronic sleep issues, Tourette’s syndrome, anxiety, depression, or other medical conditions. Since many symptoms of autism overlap with other conditions, it’s important to seek a full diagnostic evaluation to determine your child’s needs.
Did you know?:
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) states that children under age 3 with autism are eligible for services, such as speech therapy.
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Children with autism have many unique needs, but with the right support, they are fully capable of experiencing success and fulfillment. The earlier a child is diagnosed, the sooner they can receive support to manage their symptoms and unlock their potential. Our staff can assess whether your toddler has an autism diagnosis and guide you toward resources to meet their needs.
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How to Cite This Blog Article:
Shinn. M.M. (2021). 10 Early Signs of Autism in Toddlers. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/10-early-signs-of-autism-in-toddlers