15 Early Signs of Autism in Toddlers: A Parent’s Guide

Key Points:

• Early signs of autism often appear before age three and involve differences in communication, play, and behavior.
• Identifying these red flags early helps guide intervention strategies tailored to your child’s needs.
• Evidence-based support like ABA therapy can make a lasting difference in helping children develop communication, social, and daily living skills.

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When your toddler develops differently from peers, it can stir a mix of curiosity and concern. Some children reach milestones late, while others skip them entirely, and for parents, it’s not always clear what’s typical and what signals something more. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often shows its earliest signs in how a child communicates, interacts, and explores their environment.

Learning to recognize these early indicators can empower you to seek support sooner—when intervention has the greatest impact. Below, we’ll walk through 15 early signs of autism in toddlers, why they matter, and what you can do next to support your child’s growth.

Understanding Autism in Early Childhood

Autism isn’t a one-size-fits-all condition. It’s a spectrum, meaning children may show a wide range of strengths and challenges. Some toddlers may have clear developmental delays, while others seem advanced in certain areas but struggle socially or emotionally.

What unites these signs is that they reflect differences in how a child processes and responds to the world around them. Recognizing these nuances can help parents move from confusion to clarity—and from worry to action.

1. Limited or No Response to Their Name

By 12 months, most children turn when they hear their name. If your toddler often doesn’t respond—even when spoken to from close range—it could point to social communication differences.

This doesn’t mean your child can’t hear. Many children with autism hear perfectly well but may not yet connect spoken words to social interaction.

What you can do: Try reducing background noise and gently calling their name while making eye contact. If there’s still no response, it’s worth discussing with your pediatrician.

2. Avoiding Eye Contact

Frequent eye contact helps babies connect emotionally and learn from others’ expressions. A toddler who consistently avoids meeting your gaze or looks through you instead of at you may be showing one of the early hallmarks of autism.

Eye contact avoidance doesn’t necessarily mean a lack of affection—it often reflects sensory sensitivities or challenges with social processing.

3. Delayed Speech or Lack of Babbling

By 12 months, most babies babble (“ba-ba,” “ma-ma”) to experiment with sounds. By age 2, they typically combine simple words (“more milk,” “go car”). If your toddler hasn’t hit these milestones or suddenly stops using words they once had, it’s worth exploring further.

Speech delays can result from many factors, but when combined with other communication or social differences, they may point toward autism.

4. Limited Gestures or Facial Expressions

Children learn to communicate long before they speak—through waving, pointing, smiling, and frowning. A toddler who rarely gestures or shows limited facial expressions might be struggling to understand or use nonverbal communication.

Tip: Encourage imitation through games like peekaboo or blowing kisses. If gestures remain minimal, share this with your pediatrician or a developmental specialist.

5. Difficulty Imitating Sounds, Words, or Actions

Imitation is a major way toddlers learn new skills—from clapping to using a spoon. Children on the spectrum often find it harder to mimic sounds or physical actions. This isn’t defiance—it’s often a difference in how their brain processes motor and social information.

ABA therapy, such as programs from Happy Strides ABA, focuses on breaking imitation skills into manageable, rewarding steps—helping children build confidence through small wins.

6. Repetitive Movements or Behaviors

Many toddlers love routine, but repetitive actions like hand flapping, rocking, spinning, or lining up toys with precision can indicate autism—especially if the behaviors seem intense or inflexible.

These “stimming” behaviors often serve a purpose, helping children self-regulate sensory input or emotions. The goal isn’t to stop them entirely, but to understand what triggers them and teach alternatives when needed.

7. Unusual Reactions to Sensory Input

Children with autism may be overly sensitive or underresponsive to sensory experiences.

Examples include:

• Covering ears for certain sounds
• Fascination with spinning objects
• Avoiding certain textures in food or clothing
• Seeking deep pressure (like hugs or being wrapped in a blanket)

These sensory differences can impact daily routines, from dressing to eating. Occupational therapy and ABA-based sensory integration strategies can help children tolerate and adapt to sensory input more comfortably.

8. Preference for Solitary Play

Most toddlers enjoy parallel play—playing beside other kids even if not directly interacting. However, children with autism may prefer to play alone for long periods or show little interest in sharing toys or attention.

It’s important to note that some independent play is normal. The difference lies in how rarely a child seeks or responds to social interaction.

9. Difficulty with Joint Attention

Joint attention means sharing focus with another person—like pointing to a dog so both of you look at it together. It’s fundamental for language and social learning.

Children on the spectrum might not follow a parent’s gaze or point to show interest. Instead, they might explore objects independently without seeking your reaction.

10. Repetitive Use of Objects or Speech

You might notice your child repeating words or phrases (called echolalia) or fixating on spinning parts of toys rather than playing with them functionally.

For example, instead of driving a toy car, a toddler might spin its wheels repeatedly. These patterns can indicate rigid thinking or sensory preferences—common in autism.

11. Difficulty Understanding Emotions or Social Cues

Toddlers with autism might not react appropriately to others’ feelings. If you cry, they may not comfort you; if someone laughs, they might not smile back. This stems from challenges in reading social and emotional cues.

Through structured teaching and modeling, children can learn to recognize and respond to emotions—something ABA therapy often targets early on.

12. Regression in Skills

Some children develop typically for the first year or two, then lose skills they once had—such as saying words, waving, or showing interest in people. This regression is a red flag and should prompt immediate evaluation.

Early regression doesn’t mean permanent loss. With timely intervention, many children regain and build upon these skills.

13. Rigid Routines and Resistance to Change

If small changes—like a new route home or a different cup—lead to distress, your child may rely heavily on routines to feel secure.

Structure provides comfort for many children with autism, but excessive rigidity can interfere with daily functioning. Gradual exposure and reinforcement-based strategies can help ease transitions over time.

14. Lack of Pretend Play

Pretend play—like feeding a doll or pretending to talk on a toy phone—usually develops around 18 months. A lack of imaginative play may suggest difficulties in symbolic thinking, a common challenge in autism.

Encouraging pretend play during therapy helps children expand creativity and social understanding. ABA programs often weave play into skill-building to make learning feel fun and natural.

15. Limited Interest in Sharing Enjoyment

One subtle but powerful early sign is when a toddler rarely brings toys to show you, points out something exciting, or looks to you for approval. These shared moments reflect social motivation—the desire to connect for joy’s sake.

When this drive is missing, it may indicate social communication differences that benefit from early, intentional support.

Why Early Recognition and Intervention Matter

Early signs of autism can appear as early as 12 months, but many children aren’t diagnosed until age 3 or later. The earlier a child receives intervention, the more their developing brain can adapt and learn.

ABA therapy is one of the most evidence-based approaches for teaching communication, social, and daily living skills. It breaks down complex behaviors into smaller steps, reinforcing progress in a way that feels achievable and motivating for the child.

Therapy programs are designed to meet children where they are—celebrating every milestone while addressing the areas that need support most. Parents are also guided to implement techniques at home, ensuring consistent progress across settings.

What Parents Can Do If They Notice Early Signs

If you’ve observed several of the signs above, here’s a clear plan to follow:

1. Document what you notice. Write down specific examples and when they happen.
2. Schedule a developmental screening. Talk to your pediatrician or request a referral to a developmental specialist.
3. Get a comprehensive evaluation. A formal diagnosis can open access to therapies and support services.
4. Start intervention early. Don’t wait for a diagnosis if concerns are strong—early ABA or speech therapy can begin with a referral.
5. Stay involved. Parent participation accelerates progress, especially when therapy strategies are practiced at home.

Remember: recognizing signs isn’t labeling—it’s understanding your child better.

The Power of Early Support Through ABA Therapy

ABA therapy helps children on the spectrum build real-life skills—communication, social interaction, and independence—through structured, positive reinforcement. At Happy Strides ABA, we see every child as unique, and our role is to help them shine in their own way. It’s never about changing who they are; it’s about giving them the tools and confidence to express who they are and connect with the world around them.

Through play-based, engaging sessions, our therapists make learning feel natural and joyful. We focus on helping toddlers understand words, follow directions, and enjoy shared interactions that lay the groundwork for lifelong learning and emotional growth.

If you’ve started noticing early signs of autism in your little one, don’t wait to take that next step. Early support can make a lasting difference. Reach out to us today to explore how our compassionate, evidence-based ABA therapy in Colorado can help your child thrive with confidence and joy—one happy stride at a time.