Last updated January 02, 2025
The early signs of autism in infants include lack of eye contact and response time can be noticed as early as 6 months old. However All babies and children develop at somewhat different rates, but there are general procedures for how they progress.
Although there is usually some variation in development timeframes. Delays may be a sign of a developmental problem, such as autism.
A wide variety of signs and symptoms may be present in autism. While some kids could only have minor impairments, others might have significant linguistic and developmental delays by the time they’re 18 months old.
Some older autistic children can manage the disorder effectively enough to hide its signs until they begin school. The social demands frequently become too much at that point, and warning signals start to emerge.
Recognize Early Signs of Autism in Infants to Toddlers
You can recognize early signs of autism in infants by noticing their activity. According to research, earlier autism can be diagnosed as it provides a great outcome in the long term. Early interventions and therapies are the keys to success.
Parents have a high possibility of noticing possible early signs of autism since they spend the most time with their children. Caretakers and preschool teachers also can notice these early signs in a child’s life. Parents shouldn’t concentrate on just one aspect of their child’s growth since it’s crucial to understand that every child develops differently. Instead, parents should look for signs of autism or other abnormalities in a child’s development.
Here are some early warning signs for autism that can be visible down by age.
Early Signs of Autism in Infants at 6 months old
- Lack of smiling
- No or little eye contact
- Less facial expression and response
Early Signs of Autism in Infants at 12 months old
- Lack of response to call their name
- No babbling
- No waving or engaging, pointing, with others in back-and-forth exchanges
Early Signs of Autism in Toddlers at 12 months old
- Prefers not to play with others
- A lack of words or the inability to connect at least two words
- Avoiding eye contact
- Lining up toys
- Upset with change and altered routine
- Repetitive movements like arm flapping
- Obsession with a particular object
- Extreme reaction to sensory stimulation, such as smells, texture, sounds, lights, and tastes
- Repetitive speech patterns
Additionally early signs of autism may have include regression of language. Motor skill regression involves losing certain skills that were previously achieved, using the toilet, such as feeding oneself, or putting a shirt on.
A toddler who had been able to say three words for at least a month would now be unable to do so. Babies make noises, screams, and gestures to communicate with their parents. If these communication attempts stop or decline, it could be possible early signs of autism.