There’s no denying that being on the autism spectrum can create issues for children as they grow up. The best way to manage these future issues is to recognize autism as early as possible so that the child can get the help they need to adjust properly as they age.



However, it’s not always easy to tell whether a toddler’s behavior is simply an idiosyncrasy or a sign they might be on the autism spectrum. This article will introduce a few early signs of autism in toddlers that parents should know so that treatment can start as soon as possible.

They Don’t Respond to Their Name

Babies can learn their names at surprisingly young ages, depending on how often they hear their names. Neurotypical toddlers will usually respond in some way when they hear someone say their names, usually by turning in that direction and looking at the speaker. Children with autism often don’t do this; in fact, they may rarely respond to anyone—even their parents—calling their names.

They Don’t Mimic Observed Behavior

Babies and toddlers regularly imitate behaviors that they see other people doing. If you smile, laugh, or wave at them, they’ll usually respond, and toddlers specifically will often imitate whatever behavior they just saw. Babies and toddlers on the autism spectrum are less likely to do this, and their attention will usually shift to something else rather quickly.

Lack of “Pretend” Play

Playing pretend is something that most people imagine that all babies do as they become toddlers. Talking into a toy cell phone or pretending to feed a stuffed animal are common behaviors in neurotypical children.

Children with autism engage in pretend play much more infrequently. They might roll a toy car along the floor because that’s its intended purpose, but they may not actually pretend that the car is going somewhere or that it can talk, for example.

Delayed Speech Development

A common early sign of autism in toddlers is that they didn’t begin speaking at the typical milestone, usually around the two-year mark. Children with autism may not begin speaking until much later. Sometimes, they’ll forget speech skills they already had or even start to speak without understanding what they’re saying—in other words, repeating phrases but not knowing what the words mean.

Little to No Emotion in Communication

A lack of emotion during communication is another common symptom of autism in toddlers. You may find that the child has very little interest in interacting with other people at all. They might forgo talking to instead communicate through only gestures. When they do speak, it might be very monotone and lacking in emotion.

It’s important that parents know these signs so that they can seek autism service providers as soon as they can. The HANDS Center for Autism can help you and your child deal with the intricacies of living with autism and create a happier life for both of you.