Some early signs of autism in infants and young children may include avoiding eye contact and language development delays.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition that can affect how a person behaves, interacts, and communicates.
Healthcare professionals use the term “ASD” because autism is a spectrum — it can cause a variety of behaviors and characteristics.
They refer to it as a developmental disorder because it usually develops before a person is
ASD is not an illness, and it does not require treatment. A person may find it easier to manage some characteristics of ASD with support or therapies, though.
Having support from an early age can help improve an autistic child’s development, language, and interactive skills.
This article lists the possible early signs of ASD and explains what steps to take following a diagnosis.
A baby typically shows signs of ASD between 12 and 24 months old. However, signs of ASD in babies can develop outside of this age range.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that a baby can show signs of ASD at
Diagnosing ASD is challenging. One reason is that the condition presents differently in all individuals.
Babies can reach developmental milestones at slightly different ages, even when they do not have any health conditions. However, some developmental differences indicate that a baby may be autistic. These include:
Lack of eye contact and joint attention
“Joint attention” refers to two people sharing a focus on the same object after one alerts the other to the item using verbal or nonverbal cues.
For example, a parent or caregiver shows a toy to their child. The child then looks at the toy and looks back at their parent or caregiver. Joint attention is an important way of connecting and interacting with other people.
According to a
Autistic babies can find it challenging to pick up on these social cues and may ignore the person or the object that the parent or caregiver is pointing out.
Not responding to their name
According to the CDC, a baby should be able to respond to their name at about
A 2017 study found that autistic babies often do not respond to their names at 9 months old.
Difficulty with nonverbal communication
The CDC states that by
Limited facial expressions
By
A baby with autism may not respond to a smile or make other facial expressions. They may also respond to certain expressions or experiences with facial expressions that are not appropriate for the situation.
Delays in language development
By
The
Regression
Regression is when a baby starts to lose skills they previously had, such as verbal communication or social behaviors.
A
According to the Autism Science Foundation, a caregiver should talk with a doctor if their 2-month-old infant is not doing the following:
- looking at their caregiver’s face
- observing objects and people near to them
- smiling when they are smiled at or talked to
- exploring their body by touching and mouthing
- moving both arms and both legs
A caregiver should talk with a doctor if their 4-month-old infant is not doing the following:
- smiling and giggling at funny noises their caregiver or a toy makes
- engaging with their caregiver through looks, movements, or sounds to capture and maintain their attention
- responding with sounds when others speak to them
- observing their own hands with curiosity
- grasping a toy when placed in their hand
- pushing up on their elbows or forearms while lying on their stomach
A caregiver should talk with a doctor if their 6-month-old baby is not doing the following:
- looking at themselves in a mirror
- blowing raspberries
- reaching for objects
- laughing
- rolling from their tummy to their back
A caregiver should talk with a doctor if their 9-month-old baby is not doing the following:
- showing several facial expressions, such as happiness, sadness, and anger
- looking or responding to their name
- making different noises and sounds with their mouth
- banging two things together
- sitting without support
A person should talk with a doctor if a 12-month-old infant is showing signs of regression or is not:
- gesturing, such as waving, pointing, or shaking their head
- calling their caregiver by a name, such as “mama”
- able to follow simple instructions when prompted with gestures
- pulling up to stand
ASD is a possibility if an 18-month-old child is losing skills that they previously had or is not:
- pointing to show things to others
- copying their caregivers’ actions
- using at least ten different words that mean something
- walking without holding on to anyone
- climbing on and off a couch without help
If a person thinks their baby may be autistic, they should contact a doctor. The doctor will begin the diagnosis by observing and evaluating the baby’s behavior.
If the doctor suspects ASD, they may recommend further testing.
What screening options are there for my child?
The CDC notes that
Developmental delay screenings involve a doctor observing the baby. The doctor also asks the parent or caregiver questions about the baby’s behavior.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies have a routine development assessment at all visits and developmental delay screenings when they are 9, 18, and 24 or 30 months old.
A doctor should perform ASD-specific screenings when the baby is 18 and 24 months old.
How can I track my child’s development?
Although certain developmental delays can be concerning, babies develop and grow at their own pace.
However, it may be helpful to have an indication of which milestones a baby should be reaching and when.
If a person would like to track how their baby is developing, the CDC offers
The CDC also has the
What is normal stimming in babies?
“Stimming” is short for self-stimulatory behavior. It can be a typical part of development.
For example, many babies flap their hands, rock back and forth, or suck their thumbs.
The baby may engage in these repetitive movements to self-soothe, explore their environment, or simply because it feels good.
Do autistic babies startle?
According to one
However, more research is needed on this topic.
ASD is a developmental condition that can be diagnosed in babies. The sooner a healthcare professional diagnoses ASD, the sooner the child can receive any support they may need.
A caregiver can look for various signs if they think their baby is autistic. Although healthcare professionals typically diagnose ASD in children under 2 years old, signs of ASD can first be recognized at any age.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies receive regular screening for ASD and other developmental conditions.
Anyone who notices signs of autism in a child in their care can talk with a doctor for advice.