6 early signs of childhood autism

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a developmental disability. The autistic community is diverse, and the ways individuals communicate, think and interact vary widely. Every autistic person experiences autism differently, and their needs can change over time. While some individuals may need more support in their day-to-day lives, others need less.

How common is autism?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 36 children in the United States is diagnosed with autism. Autism can be diagnosed in children, sometimes as early as 18 months old, as well as in adolescents and adults. Many different environmental, biologic and genetic factors may make an autism diagnosis more likely. Risk factors may include one's genes, being born to older parents and a family history of having autism.

Autism is not caused by poor parenting or vaccinations. People with autism are in all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups.

How is autism diagnosed?

Doctors use behavioral and developmental tests to diagnose autism, because medical tests, such as blood tests, cannot diagnose it. An autism diagnosis includes a developmental screening and an evaluation. In the screening, your child’s doctor will check if they are learning basic skills for their age, or if there are delays. This is recommended at regular well-child doctor visits.

During the evaluation, your child’s doctor may review their behavior and development, interview you/your child’s parent(s), perform genetic testing, hearing and vision screening and neurological and other medical testing.

Autism characteristics may be observed during early childhood, but it tends to go undiagnosed until much later in life, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

What are the signs of autism?

Here are six signs to look for in early childhood:

At 6 months

Few or no big smiles and limited eye contact.

At 9 months

Little or no back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles or facial expression.

At 12 months

Little or no response to name, no back-and-forth gestures like reaching or waving.

At 16 months

Little or no words.

At 24 months

Very few or no meaningful two-word phrases.

At any age

Avoids eye contact, delayed language development, prefers to be alone.

People with autism, regardless of their age, can also share these behaviors and interests:

• Flapping hands, rocking their bodies or spinning in circles
• Lining up objects and getting upset when the order changes
• Playing with toys the same way each time
• Reacting to the way things feel, look, smell, sound or taste
• Repeating words or phrases
• Wanting to follow certain routines

Diagnosis and support at an early age can improve communication, learning and brain development, WHO says. After diagnosis, children with autism and their loved ones should receive information, services, referrals, and practical support. It’s important to learn the signs and take action early to support your child’s learning and progress. If you have questions about autism, we encourage you to talk to their primary care physician.

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