The first years of a child’s life are a time of tremendous physical, cognitive, and social development. While those years are a joyful time for parents, it’s important that moms and dads keep an eye out for early symptoms or signs of developmental issues, including autism spectrum disorder, a cluster of disorders that affect brain development and can lead to problems thinking, communicating, and socializing.
One in 68 kids have autism, and the disorder is roughly five times more likely to affect boys than girls. It’s called a “spectrum disorder” because it encompasses a handful of related conditions, all of which may present in different ways, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe, says Juhi Pandey, PhD, a pediatric neuropsychologist, and scientist with the Center for Autism Research at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
What are the symptoms of autism?
Autism’s early warning signs usually emerge sometime before a child turns three. Symptoms can start as early as 12 or 18 months for some children, while other kids with autism may not be diagnosed until the second or third grade, Pandey says. “Symptoms occur over time, and they don’t always happen in a doctor’s office,” she says. “That’s why parents watching for symptoms and providing [the doctor with] that information is important.”
Pandey also says parental symptom-spotting is vital because the sooner a health professional can intervene, the better off the child will be. “You cannot get autism-specific intervention until you get a diagnosis,” she adds.
So what are the symptoms of autism? Here are 12 that parents need to know. Just keep in mind: Diagnosing autism is complicated. “We need to see a number of these symptoms to make a diagnosis, not just one,” Pandey says.
Also, different symptoms emerge at different ages. What may be a red flag for autism at age 3 could be considered typical behavior at age 1 or 2. While you should tell your child’s doctor if you notice any of these symptoms, spotting one of them—or even several of them—is not a guarantee that your child has autism.
1. Poor eye contact
Pandey calls poor eye contact “one of the hallmarks” of autism. Young children tend to lock eyes with loved ones and strangers alike. But a child with autism may avoid eye contact—never looking directly at his parent or doing so inconsistently or fleetingly. “Some kids who are severely impacted may make no eye contact at all,” Pandey adds. At the same time, she says some children may just be shy. A lack of eye contact is not always indicative of autism—a caveat that applies to every symptom on this list.
2. Flapping hands or repetitive gestures
Repetitive motions or gestures—often flapping or spinning hands, flicking fingers, or rocking back and forth—are a red flag, Pandey says. Especially if a child repeats these or similar gestures when he’s worked up or excited, that’s something to note.
3. Repeating phrases or babble
While many young kids babble or repeat themselves, Pandey says young children with autism may repeat the same “jargony” phrase over and over again in the exact same way—almost like they’re singing the verse of a song. “I had one child who would repetitively count the way he heard it on Elmo,” she says. This is known as “scripted language,” she adds. Repeating a phrase or babble with odd rhythms or in sing-song voice are also warning signs, Mayo Clinic experts say.
4. Heightened sensitivity or sensory aversion
Autism can cause a child’s senses to be touchy. A child may enjoy rubbing smooth or soft surfaces, or he may smell everything, Pandey says. But he may not like to be held or cuddled. “Everyday sounds might be really hard for them,” she says of children with autism. She mentions toilet flushes and vacuum cleaners as common irritants. “They might hold their hands up to their ears,” she says. A child with autism may also be very sensitive to bright light, according to the Mayo Clinic.
5. Inspecting toys rather than playing with them
Most young kids will inspect a toy before playing with it. But a child with autism may not move past the inspection phase, Pandey says. So while a child without autism will race a car along the floor, or fly an airplane through the air, a child with autism might continue to spin the car’s tires or examine the bottom of the plane. “Their interest is in the parts of the object rather than the whole,” she says.
If another child tries to interact or play with him, a child with autism may not know how to react.
6. Playing alone
Again, some kids are just shy. But solitary play can be an indicator of autism. Pandey says a child with autism may not know how to approach other kids or may be more interested in doing her own activities. If another child tries to interact or play with him, a child with autism “may not know how to react,” she adds. She says this kind of behavior isn’t uncommon at young ages, but if it’s still happening later—like at age 7—that’s a stronger warning sign.
7. A lack of interest in pretend play
For kids with autism, pretend skills may be absent or lacking. “[These kids] don’t use objects for pretend play—stuff like picking up a sponge and using it as a pretend phone,” she says. Play-feeding a doll or pretending the couch is a truck or train are other examples. If this kind of pretend play hasn’t started by 18 months, that’s a warning sign, notes the CDC.
8. Obsessive interests
For older children with “high achieving” forms of autism, they may become fixated on a specific topic—something like the weather or a baseball team, Pandey says. “That’s all they’ll talk about and all they’ll do,” she says.
9. Unresponsive to his or her name
By 12 months of age, most children will look up or respond when someone calls them by name. If a child does not, that may be indicative of autism, the CDC says. These kids may also seem not to hear their parents or other people, or they may struggle to understand or follow simple commands or instructions.
10. Stereotyped behavior
A child with autism may get “stuck” on certain habits, interests, or behaviors, according to the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. For example, he may always want to hold the same toy—refusing to put it down even when he’s trying to play with something else. Or he may spend a lot of time lining up cars or arranging objects in a specific order.
11. Loss of language or social skills
Children with autism may seem unwilling to speak or verbalize even though they used to do so. For example, a baby who used to babble or make nonsense noises might stop as he gets older. Children with autism may also withdraw from social situations even though they used to seem comfortable playing with or around other kids, according to the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
12. Doesn’t point or respond to pointing
Children will typically start pointing out things to their parents by 14 months. If a child doesn’t point out airplanes or dogs or other interesting things, that could be a red flag. The same is true if a child doesn’t look at things her parent is pointing out. Failure to wave or to respond to waving is another warning sign, notes the CDC.
What should I do if my child is showing symptoms of autism?
Call your pediatrician or your state's Early Intervention program to schedule an appointment for a formal autism screening. From there, you may be referred to a specialist for a full diagnostic evaluation.
Before your child's screening, you may find it helpful to fill out the M-CHAT, which stands for Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers and is an American Academy of Pediatrics-approved screening tool for autism. Print out your results and bring them with you to discuss with your child's doctor.
Markham Heid
Markham Heid is an experienced health reporter and writer, has contributed to outlets like TIME, Men’s Health, and Everyday Health, and has received reporting awards from the Society of Professional Journalists and the Maryland, Delaware, and D.C. Press Association.
FAQs
What are 5 common signs of autism? ›
- Avoiding eye contact.
- Delayed speech and communication skills.
- Reliance on rules and routines.
- Being upset by relatively minor changes.
- Unexpected reactions to sounds, tastes, sights, touch and smells.
- Difficulty understanding other people's emotions.
Main signs of autism
Common signs of autism in adults include: finding it hard to understand what others are thinking or feeling. getting very anxious about social situations. finding it hard to make friends or preferring to be on your own.
Early symptoms often noted by parents include delayed speech, restricted interests, not responding to his or her name, and avoiding eye contact. No two autistic children will have the same symptoms. Warning signs might be easy to see in one person, and virtually invisible in another.
Is ADHD a part of autism? ›Answer: Autism spectrum disorder and ADHD are related in several ways. ADHD is not on the autism spectrum, but they have some of the same symptoms. And having one of these conditions increases the chances of having the other.
How do they test for autism? ›Diagnosing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be difficult because there is no medical test, like a blood test, to diagnose the disorder. Doctors look at the child's developmental history and behavior to make a diagnosis. ASD can sometimes be detected at 18 months of age or younger.
Does autism come from the mother or father? ›The team found that mothers passed only half of their structural variants on to their autistic children—a frequency that would be expected by chance alone—suggesting that variants inherited from mothers were not associated with autism. But surprisingly, fathers did pass on substantially more than 50% of their variants.
Do children with autism laugh when you tickle them? ›The researchers report that children with autism are more likely to produce 'unshared' laughter — laughing when others aren't — which jibes with the parent reports.
What's high functioning autism? ›“High-functioning autism” isn't an official medical term or diagnosis. It's an informal one some people use when they talk about people with an autism spectrum disorder who can speak, read, write, and handle basic life skills like eating and getting dressed. They can live independently.
Are you born with autism? ›Autism is not an illness
It's something you're born with. Signs of autism might be noticed when you're very young, or not until you're older. If you're autistic, you're autistic your whole life. Autism is not a medical condition with treatments or a "cure".
To be diagnosed with borderline autism, a child must display many of them but not in the frequency or severity that merits a full diagnosis. Borderline autism symptoms include problems with: social skills, body use, the ability to adapt or make transitions, language and other sensory and developmental issues.
What conditions are similar to autism? ›
- Avoidant personality disorder.
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Reactive attachment disorder.
- Social (pragmatic) communication disorder.
- Schizophrenia, which rarely happens in children.
Autism has a wide spectrum and not every individual with autism can find a place in mainstream schools. However, I have had a few success stories where the right support and timely intervention helped. Several students from my schools were able to successfully complete their education from mainstream schools.
Can you have autistic traits and not be autistic? ›No, there is no such thing as being a little autistic. Many people may show some characteristics of autism from time to time. This may include avoiding bright lights and noises, preferring to be alone and being rigid about rules.
What does stimming mean? ›About stimming and autism
Stimming – or self-stimulatory behaviour – is repetitive or unusual body movement or noises. Stimming might include: hand and finger mannerisms – for example, finger-flicking and hand-flapping. unusual body movements – for example, rocking back and forth while sitting or standing.
OCD and autism are often misdiagnosed as one another. This is because the symptoms of both can look similar. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are, in many ways, quite different. OCD is a mental illness, while autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder.
Can a pediatrician diagnose autism? ›Developmental pediatricians are medical doctors who possess the training and experience to diagnose autism and other developmental difficulties. These professionals consider the medical and psychosocial elements of children's behavior problems and provide counsel and treatment accordingly.
What questions do they ask in an autism assessment? ›...
They will ask questions about:
- what you are good at and what you find difficult.
- any worries you or your parents have.
- how you get on at home, at school and in other situations.
- how you talk to and get on with other people.
Children may be diagnosed with autism by age two, but a more definite diagnosis may come several years later. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends all children be screened for autism between 18 and 24 months to possibly benefit from the option of early intervention therapies, like ABA therapy.
What is mild autism called? ›Mild autism is also called high-functioning autism (HFA), Asperger's syndrome, or described as "being on the lower end of the spectrum." This article will explain why the term mild autism is used and how the definition has changed over time.
What is a Level 1 autism? ›Level 1 – Level 1 is the mildest level of ASD. Generally, children at this level have mild symptoms that don't significantly impact school experience or relationships with others. This is what most people previously referred to when they used the terms “Asperger's syndrome” or “high-functioning autism”.
What is masking with autism? ›
Autism masking involves spotting those symptoms yourself and working desperately to hide them. It's common in people who don't have an autism diagnosis, and sometimes, masking keeps people from getting the help they need. Women are especially prone to autism masking.
How do you avoid having a child with autism? ›- Live healthy. Have regular check-ups, eat well-balanced meals, and exercise. ...
- Don't take drugs during pregnancy. Ask your doctor before you take any medication. ...
- Avoid alcohol. ...
- Seek treatment for existing health conditions. ...
- Get vaccinated.
Studies suggest that ASD could be a result of disruptions in normal brain growth very early in development. These disruptions may be the result of defects in genes that control brain development and regulate how brain cells communicate with each other. Autism is more common in children born prematurely.
Does autism qualify for disability? ›Conditions like autism are recognized by the Social Security Administration (SSA) as potentially disabling and may be able to qualify you or your child for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits through one of both of the SSA's disability programs.
Do autistic kids smile? ›Impaired affective expression, including social smiling, is common in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and may represent an early marker for ASD in their infant siblings (Sibs-ASD).
Are autistic children happy? ›We found that for the majority of children happiness, self-esteem, and prosociality co-occur. Furthermore, although as a group children with ASD have lower levels of positive functioning, our findings suggest that nearly half of children with ASD are happy, have good levels of self-esteem, and are prosocial.
Do autistic babies watch TV? ›"Kids with autism are more predisposed to watch screens," he explained. Kids with autism symptoms may use screens as a soothing device, instead of turning to a parent. That may lead a parent to engage less than they would otherwise like to, Bennett explained. The study was published online April 20 in JAMA Pediatrics.
What's the lowest form of autism? ›ASD Level 1 – Level 1 ASD is currently the lowest classification. Those on this level will require some support to help with issues like inhibited social interaction and lack of organization and planning skills.
What is a Level 2 autism? ›Level 2: Requiring Substantial Support: Marked difficulties in verbal and nonverbal social communication skills. Markedly odd, restricted repetitive behaviors, noticeable difficulties changing activities or focus. Level 3: Requiring Very Substantial Support: Severe difficulties in verbal and nonverbal communication.
Can you have autism without knowing? ›While autism is most often diagnosed in toddlers, it's possible for autistic adults to go undiagnosed.
What does Level 1 autism look like in adults? ›
Level 1 Autism
For example, in some of the following areas: Problems with starting a conversation. Disinterest in interacting socially with other people. Trouble with dynamic and fluid conversations.
Inheritance. ASD has a tendency to run in families, but the inheritance pattern is usually unknown. People with gene changes associated with ASD generally inherit an increased risk of developing the condition, rather than the condition itself.
Do autistic people talk to themselves? ›Many people affected by autism like to review conversations to themselves. This can include repeating lines from their favorite movies, TV shows or YouTube channels. We call this “scripting.” It's a common repetitive behavior that can be a source of comfort when the person is anxious or excited.
Is autism caused by trauma? ›Autism is a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder that is not caused by childhood trauma or abuse.
Why are autism rates increasing? ›A recent study in the journal Molecular Psychiatry found that older fathers, and older or teenage mothers had a higher risk of having children with autism. But Baio, believes much of the increase they have seen since 2000 comes from growing awareness of autism and more sensitive screening tools.
Can a traumatic birth cause autism? ›Over the past decade there has been increased scientific evidence showing that perinatal and intranatal trauma are significant risk factors for developing autism.
Can you regress into autism? ›Regressive autism is a very rare condition. A child appears to show normal social, emotional, and language development, and then loses their speech and social skills for no discernible reason. This usually develops between 15 and 30 months of age. It can take place very suddenly or gradually.
Can anxiety be mistaken for autism? ›One reason social anxiety and autism are sometimes confused is because some symptoms appear the same. According to educational psychologist and therapist Richelle Whittaker, PhD, overlapping symptoms of autism and social anxiety disorder include: limited social communication. nervousness.
Can autism be mistaken for bipolar? ›Can autism be mistaken for bipolar disorder? Yes. Some of the behaviors seen in autism (such as rapid talking, pacing, and irritability) are also present in bipolar disorder.
Can you have autism and be social? ›Some people on the autism spectrum may seek social opportunities and may initiate social interactions themselves, others may enjoy social situations and interactions when they are initiated effectively by others.
What are autistic traits? ›
- Delayed language skills.
- Delayed movement skills.
- Delayed cognitive or learning skills.
- Hyperactive, impulsive, and/or inattentive behavior.
- Epilepsy or seizure disorder.
- Unusual eating and sleeping habits.
- Gastrointestinal issues (for example, constipation)
- Unusual mood or emotional reactions.
Private schools are typically chosen by families with high-functioning autistic students. They want the child to have a tailored education, and special-ed classes in public schools don't seem effective. Parents who can't cover the high fees may not feel ready to take advantage of the benefits.
Can a child with autism talk? ›Wodka's team studied 535 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who had “only a few single words at most” at age 4. By age 8, 70 percent had developed phrase or fluent speech, with 47 percent speaking fluently.
Do autistic children qualify for SSI? ›Autism is listed as a qualifying condition in the Childhood Blue Book. To be eligible for SSI, your child must have medical documentation of both of the following: Measurable deficits in verbal and non verbal communication, as well as deficits in social interactions, AND.
What is autism caused by? ›A common question after an autism diagnosis is what is the cause of autism. We know that there's no one cause of autism. Research suggests that autism develops from a combination of genetic and nongenetic, or environmental, influences. These influences appear to increase the risk that a child will develop autism.
Can you have autism without knowing? ›While autism is most often diagnosed in toddlers, it's possible for autistic adults to go undiagnosed.
What's high functioning autism? ›“High-functioning autism” isn't an official medical term or diagnosis. It's an informal one some people use when they talk about people with an autism spectrum disorder who can speak, read, write, and handle basic life skills like eating and getting dressed. They can live independently.
Which parent carries autism gene? ›Due to its lower prevalence in females, autism was always thought to have a maternal inheritance component. However, research also suggests that the rarer variants associated with autism are mostly inherited from the father.
How do you avoid having a child with autism? ›- Live healthy. Have regular check-ups, eat well-balanced meals, and exercise. ...
- Don't take drugs during pregnancy. Ask your doctor before you take any medication. ...
- Avoid alcohol. ...
- Seek treatment for existing health conditions. ...
- Get vaccinated.
The team found that mothers passed only half of their structural variants on to their autistic children—a frequency that would be expected by chance alone—suggesting that variants inherited from mothers were not associated with autism. But surprisingly, fathers did pass on substantially more than 50% of their variants.
What can mimic autism? ›
- Avoidant personality disorder.
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Reactive attachment disorder.
- Social (pragmatic) communication disorder.
- Schizophrenia, which rarely happens in children.
Mild autism is also called high-functioning autism (HFA), Asperger's syndrome, or described as "being on the lower end of the spectrum." This article will explain why the term mild autism is used and how the definition has changed over time.
What is a Level 1 autism? ›Level 1 – Level 1 is the mildest level of ASD. Generally, children at this level have mild symptoms that don't significantly impact school experience or relationships with others. This is what most people previously referred to when they used the terms “Asperger's syndrome” or “high-functioning autism”.
What is borderline autistic? ›To be diagnosed with borderline autism, a child must display many of them but not in the frequency or severity that merits a full diagnosis. Borderline autism symptoms include problems with: social skills, body use, the ability to adapt or make transitions, language and other sensory and developmental issues.
Can you have autism and be social? ›Some people on the autism spectrum may seek social opportunities and may initiate social interactions themselves, others may enjoy social situations and interactions when they are initiated effectively by others.
Are you born with autism? ›Autism is not an illness
It's something you're born with. Signs of autism might be noticed when you're very young, or not until you're older. If you're autistic, you're autistic your whole life. Autism is not a medical condition with treatments or a "cure".
Level 1 Autism
For example, in some of the following areas: Problems with starting a conversation. Disinterest in interacting socially with other people. Trouble with dynamic and fluid conversations.
About stimming and autism
Stimming – or self-stimulatory behaviour – is repetitive or unusual body movement or noises. Stimming might include: hand and finger mannerisms – for example, finger-flicking and hand-flapping. unusual body movements – for example, rocking back and forth while sitting or standing.
In a new study, researchers have found that the vast majority of such children still have difficulties that require therapeutic and educational support. Research in the past several years has shown that children can outgrow a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), once considered a lifelong condition.