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Early Signs of Autism in Babies and Toddlers: A Complete Guide
- Autism-Talk
- Sep 4
- 8 min read
Updated: Sep 4
Early Signs of Autism in Babies and Toddlers: What Parents Should Know
Meta Description: Discover the early signs of autism in babies and toddlers, including communication, social, and behavioral red flags. Learn what to watch for as a parent.
TL;DR (Quick Takeaways)
Autism signs can appear as early as infancy, often before 18 months.
Early red flags may include limited babbling, lack of gestures, unusual eye contact, or repetitive movements.
Early diagnosis matters—intervention during the first 3 years can improve outcomes.
Not all myths are true (children with autism do show affection, and not all have behavior challenges).
Parents know their child best—trust your instincts and seek evaluation if you’re concerned.
Table of Contents
As a mom of neurodiverse children and a special education teacher, I’ve walked the same journey many parents face: noticing the subtle—and sometimes not-so-subtle—signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in a young child and second-guessing myself. Is this autism? Is it just a normal phase that feels a little exaggerated? Or is it simply part of my child’s personality?
Ironically, I even argued with my children’s pediatrician that they didn’t need an autism evaluation. After all, I had worked for more than 20 years with other people’s autistic children. Yet when it came to my own children, I couldn’t put them into any category. To me, they were simply my kids—unique, quirky, and impossible to see through a clinical lens.
Recognizing these early signs can feel overwhelming, especially when friends, family, or even professionals say “every child develops at their own pace.” But while it’s easy to brush off concerns, there’s real value in naming what’s happening. Early intervention can help children build critical skills and simply knowing the “why” behind everyday struggles can often bring an enormous sense of relief to families.
But here’s the truth: you are the expert on your child. Trusting your instincts is critical. Still, it’s also worth stepping back if teachers, relatives, or caregivers are noticing patterns you may not see in the moment. Autism Level 1, in particular, can be tricky—its early signs are often less obvious, and many children seem to be developing typically until social demands increase.
👉 Related post: Understanding Autism Levels and What They Mean
It’s important to remember that while the signs outlined in this post are backed by research, not every child with autism will show them clearly in the toddler years. Autism Level 1, in particular, can be subtle.
Many children appear to meet early milestones, make eye contact, or even engage in some social play—yet still receive a diagnosis later, once the social and communication demands of preschool or elementary school become greater.
In other words, if your child seems “okay” in many of these areas right now, that doesn’t necessarily mean they will never receive an autism diagnosis. Level 1 autism often becomes more noticeable over time, especially as expectations for social interaction and flexibility increase. That’s why it’s so valuable to both trust your instincts and stay open to feedback from others who know your child.
This doesn’t mean you missed something—it simply means autism can look different at different stages of a child’s life.
Why Recognizing Early Signs of Autism Matters
Why does early identification of autism matter? Early identification is crucial because it opens the door to early intervention.
Research consistently shows that intervention during the first three years of life—when the brain is most adaptable—can significantly improve communication, social, and cognitive skills.
The CDC notes autism can often be reliably diagnosed by 18–24 months, though red flags may appear sooner.
Early support doesn’t just help children; it reduces stress for parents who finally have answers and a plan.
👉 If you’re unsure where to begin, check out my post on Accessing Early Intervention Services Through Your School District.
Early Signs of Autism in Babies and Toddlers
Communication Differences
Some of the earliest autism signs show up in how babies communicate—even before words:
Delayed babbling or speech: Some babies babble less often or stop babbling.
Echolalia: Toddlers may repeat words or phrases without using them meaningfully.
Using adults as tools: Guiding your hand to a juice bottle instead of pointing or asking.
Limited gestures: By 12 months, babies typically point, wave, and show items.
Not responding to name: A baby may not turn when you call—even with normal hearing.
💡What does it mean if my baby doesn’t respond to their name? It can be an early autism sign, but hearing should be checked first.
Social Interaction Challenges
Social differences can be subtle but important:
Limited eye contact: May only glance briefly or avoid eye contact.
Difficulty sharing attention: Not pointing out a bird and looking back at you.
Lack of pretend play: By age 2, most toddlers pretend to feed a doll or “drive” a toy car.
Prefers rough-and-tumble play only: Many toddlers with autism rely mainly on gross motor play (e.g., being tossed in the air) without engaging in other play types.
Repetitive Behaviors
These are often the most visible signs for parents:
Stimming: Hand-flapping, rocking, or body tensing when excited or overwhelmed, or visual stims such as looking at hands, fingers, or toys held out at the corner of the eyes.
Fixation on small details: Watching spinning wheels instead of playing with the toy car, or noticing and picking up tiny pieces of lint on the carpet rather than engaging with the toy on the carpet.
Unusual eye gaze: Looking from the side of the eye or holding toys at an angle or children that seem to resist looking at you when you are looking at them.
Difficulty shifting attention: May not respond when focused on a favorite activity.
Hyperlexia: Some toddlers show an early obsession with letters and numbers.
Sensory Oversensitivity and Under Sensitivity
Beyond repetitive movements or unusual play, many early autism signs appear in how a child experiences the world through their senses. These differences can go in two opposite directions—some children are oversensitive to everyday sensations, while others seem under sensitive and hardly notice them at all.
Area | Oversensitive Examples | Under sensitive Examples |
Feeding | Difficulty transitioning to solid food, gagging on textures, picky eating with only a few accepted foods | Eats nearly anything without noticing texture, may overstuff mouth for input |
Clothing | Refuses certain fabrics, melts down over tags or seams, dislikes socks or shoes | Barely notices discomfort, may tolerate rough or restrictive clothing without reaction |
Temperature | Cries or resists when water is slightly cool or clothes feel “wrong” for the weather | Runs outside in snow wearing only a diaper, doesn’t appear bothered by heat or cold |
Pain Response | Appears very distressed by small bumps or scrapes | Shows little response to major injuries (e.g., my own son broke his arm as a toddler and didn’t cry—only fussed and stopped using his hand, which led us to get it X-rayed) |
💡 Important distinction: Many toddlers dislike getting dressed or wearing mittens in the cold. The difference is that most children can be distracted with a silly game, a snack, or some playful tickling. In contrast, a child with autism may be inconsolable because the sensory discomfort feels overwhelming rather than just inconvenient.
Q&A
Q: What does it mean if my toddler doesn’t notice pain or extreme cold?
A: Some children with autism experience sensory under sensitivity, meaning their brain doesn’t register certain sensations as strongly. While most kids would cry if they touched snow in bare feet or broke a bone, a child with sensory differences may hardly react. This doesn’t mean they are tougher—it means their sensory processing works differently.
Q: How can I tell if my child’s clothing battles are typical or autism-related?
A: All toddlers resist clothing sometimes. The difference is that children without sensory sensitivities can usually be redirected with play, comfort, or rewards. A child with autism may react so strongly to tags, seams, or fabrics that the struggle feels impossible to soothe.
Observations of Autism Signs
Here’s a breakdown of early autism signs:
Category | Common Signs in Babies & Toddlers |
Communication | Limited babbling; echolalia; few gestures; using adults’ hands instead of words |
Social Engagement | Not responding to name; limited eye contact; lack of joint attention; reliance on rough play |
Repetitive Behaviors | Hand-flapping; rocking; intense focus on objects; unusual eye gaze; lining up toys; early fixation on letters/numbers |
Common Misconceptions About Autism
Misinformation can delay support. Here are some myths, busted:
Myth: Children with autism don’t show affection.
Reality: Many love cuddles and physical closeness but may be resistant to adult directed means of affection.
Myth: Autism always comes with tantrums
Reality: While some children with autism do experience frequent meltdowns, these are usually connected to sensory sensitivities (e.g., being overwhelmed by sounds, textures, or lights) or challenges with flexibility (such as unexpected changes in routine or driving a new route). Other autistic toddlers may be calm much of the time and show fewer outward behavior challenges.
Myth: My baby is too "calm" to have autism
Not all early autism signs show up as “more fussiness.” In fact, one hallmark in many autistic children—even in infancy—is being unusually quiet or easygoing. Some babies rarely cry, even when uncomfortable, and may not seek out comfort from caregivers. Parents often describe these babies as content or independent, but in hindsight, this lack of seeking reassurance can be an early sign of autism.
Myth: Early signs equal lifelong struggles.
Reality: Early diagnosis and support lead to tremendous progress in many children. The autism spectrum is wide and varied, which means simply knowing your child is autistic doesn’t determine their future. It doesn’t tell you what they will achieve, what they will struggle with, or the unique path they’ll take.
What to Do if You Suspect Autism
"What’s the first step if I think my child shows signs of autism?”
Track observations: Write down what you notice—lack of gestures, unusual play, or other differences. Pay attention to whether your child always shows these behaviors, or if they happen only with certain people, in specific settings, or at particular times of day. This information is important because it helps professionals see patterns, distinguish between developmental quirks and consistent red flags, and make a more accurate evaluation.
Talk to your pediatrician: Bring your notes and concerns clearly. If your doctor isn’t worried but you still feel uneasy, it’s okay to ask for a second opinion or request a referral. Likewise, be willing to listen if your pediatrician points out concerns you may not have noticed—sometimes an outside perspective can reveal important patterns.
Request a developmental screening: Pediatricians can refer you for an autism evaluation. Because wait times can be very long in many regions, it’s often best to get on the list as soon as possible—even if you’re unsure or think you may change your mind later. It’s always easier to cancel an appointment than to realize months down the road that you wish you had scheduled one earlier.
Contact Early Intervention services: In the U.S., children under 3 may qualify for free support through your state program. These services can provide speech therapy, occupational therapy, or developmental support right in your home or childcare setting free of charge. If you’re not sure where to start, check out my earlier post: Accessing Early Intervention Services Through Your School District for step-by-step guidance.
Connect with resources: Social stories, visual supports, and parent groups can provide reassurance while you wait for evaluation.
Conclusion
Recognizing early autism signs in babies and toddlers isn’t about labeling—it’s about opening doors to support. Whether it’s communication differences, sensory sensitivities, or unique play patterns, these early signs can give parents valuable insight.
Remember: you are not alone. Trust your instincts and seek guidance but also give yourself permission to step back and see your child through others’ eyes. Autism looks different for every child, and an early diagnosis doesn’t define the future. With the right supports, many children make tremendous progress and discover strengths you may not have expected.
Related Resources
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2023). Signs and Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2021). Developmental Milestones and Autism Screening.
Autism Speaks. (2023). Early Signs of Autism in Toddlers and Babies.
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