What Are the Early Signs of Autism in Toddlers?

Written and reviewed by Nita Anavim, M.S., CCC-SLP. Last reviewed February 16, 2026.

If you have found yourself watching your toddler a little more closely lately, wondering why they do not always turn when you call their name, or noticing that they point less than other little ones at the playground, you are not alone. So many parents quietly carry these questions, often unsure whether what they are seeing is just their child’s own pace or something worth asking about. It is one of the most tender kinds of worry there is, and it usually comes from a place of deep love and attention.

Here is the short answer: the early signs of autism that parents often notice are patterns in how a child connects, communicates, and plays, but noticing a few of them is not a diagnosis. Only a qualified professional or evaluation team can determine whether a child is autistic, and many children who show some of these signs turn out not to be autistic at all. What the signs can do is help you know when to reach out for support and, if it is helpful, an evaluation.

Please take a breath here. Whatever you notice, your child is still your child, learning and growing in their own way, and reaching out early is one of the most caring things you can do, no matter where it leads.

What are early signs of autism in toddlers?

Early signs are differences in social communication, play, and behavior that tend to show up in the first couple of years. According to the CDC, examples related to autism can include avoiding or not keeping eye contact for connecting, not responding to their name by around 9 months, using few or no gestures such as waving by 12 months, not showing you objects they like by 15 months, and not pointing to share something interesting by 18 months. Some children may also line up toys and get upset when the order changes, repeat certain movements like hand-flapping or rocking, strongly prefer routines, or become distressed by small changes.

You might also notice fewer moments of shared enjoyment, what specialists call joint attention, or looking back and forth between an object and you to share a moment together. The American Academy of Pediatrics (through HealthyChildren.org) describes joint attention, gestures like pointing, and pretend play as social-communication building blocks, and notes these subtler differences can be easy to miss because many autistic children sit, crawl, and walk right on time. Limited babbling, few words, or limited pretend play can be part of the picture too.

One thing worth holding onto: development varies enormously from child to child. A single sign, on its own, rarely means much. These are patterns to be aware of and to talk about, not a checklist that adds up to an answer.

Do these signs mean my child is autistic?

No, noticing these signs does not mean your child is autistic. The CDC is clear that some children who show these behaviors are not autistic, and some autistic children may show only a few of them, or none of the specific examples listed. Children are wonderfully individual, and many reasons unrelated to autism can shape how a toddler communicates and plays.

Autism is also not something to fear or to “fix.” Autistic children connect, play, and communicate in their own valid ways, and understanding those differences is about supporting your child, never changing who they are. Signs are simply information, a nudge to pay attention and, if you have questions, to talk with someone who can help. A diagnosis, if it is ever part of your family’s path, comes only from a qualified professional or team after a thorough evaluation.

When should I talk to someone?

The time to talk to someone is whenever you have a question about how your child plays, learns, speaks, acts, or moves. You do not need to wait until you are “sure,” and you do not need a certain number of signs. The CDC’s Learn the Signs. Act Early. program encourages families to act early on any developmental concern rather than taking a “wait and see” approach, sharing what you have noticed with your child’s doctor and asking about developmental screening.

Acting early is not about alarm. As HealthyChildren.org puts it, you know your child best, and your concerns matter, and acting early can make a meaningful difference in your child’s development. Starting a conversation now simply opens the door to answers and support sooner.

What can I do at home?

What helps at home is everyday connection: getting down to your child’s level, following their lead in play, and narrating what you both do. Get down on your child’s level, face to face, and follow their lead in play, narrate what they are doing, pause to give them a turn, and respond warmly to any sound, look, or gesture they offer. These back-and-forth moments are exactly the kind of pre-language skills, like eye contact, gestures, imitation, and babbling, that the NIDCD notes children build before words come.

You can also make space for shared enjoyment: point things out together, offer choices, sing familiar songs, and celebrate the small ways your child reaches toward you. Keep a gentle, simple note of what you are seeing, when it happens and how often, so you have specifics to share when you talk with your pediatrician. None of this is about drilling or pressure; it is about connection, and connection is always time well spent.

How can speech therapy help?

Speech therapy helps by building the way children communicate and connect, the very skills at the heart of many early questions parents have. As the NIDCD describes, when a child has communication differences, a speech-language pathologist can evaluate how they are communicating and design supportive, individualized help, often beginning with those early social-communication and pre-language skills.

An important note: Therapy Clubhouse does not diagnose autism. An SLP is one part of a larger care team, and a diagnosis comes from a qualified professional or evaluation team. What we can do is support your child’s communication and social communication, partner with you at home, and help you understand and take the next step toward an evaluation if that is right for your family. If you would like to read more, you can explore our speech and occupational therapy for autistic children, or these related posts: early signs of communication delays parents often miss, late talker or speech delay: when to act, and AAC for nonverbal children and how it helps.

What is the next step?

The next step is a free 15-minute conversation, and it is the kindest place to start. Call (805) 702-3427 or schedule a free 15-minute consultation to talk through what you are noticing and what support might look like. We offer in-home and virtual visits across our service area, and we work with children from birth to 18. There is no pressure, just a warm, knowledgeable person ready to listen and help you find your footing.

Common questions about early signs of autism

Can you diagnose autism?

No, we do not diagnose autism. A diagnosis comes from a qualified professional or an evaluation team after a comprehensive assessment. What we can do is support your child’s communication and social communication and help you find the right next step, including connecting you toward an evaluation if that is helpful.

My child makes eye contact and is affectionate. Could there still be questions worth exploring?

Yes. Autism looks different in every child, and many autistic children make eye contact and are very affectionate. Eye contact alone neither rules autism in nor out. If you have any concerns about communication or development, it is always okay to ask.

Is it too early to reach out if my child is only a year or two old?

No, it is not too early to reach out at one or two years old. The CDC encourages families to act early on any developmental concern, and early support for communication can begin well before any diagnosis. Reaching out now simply gets your questions in front of people who can help.

What actually happens in a first conversation?

A first conversation is relaxed and parent-friendly. We listen to what you have noticed, answer your questions, share how we support communication and social communication, and talk through possible next steps, including how to pursue an evaluation if that feels right for your family.

Therapy Clubhouse offers in-home speech and occupational therapy throughout our home-visit area, and telehealth anywhere in California; our Westlake Village clinic opens December 1, 2026.

Sources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Signs and Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder
• HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics): Early Signs of Autism in Children
• National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Communication Problems in Children

This article is for educational purposes and is not diagnostic or a substitute for professional care. Noticing early signs is not a diagnosis, and Therapy Clubhouse does not diagnose autism. If you have questions or concerns about your child’s development, please talk with your pediatrician or a qualified professional.

About the author

Nita Anavim, M.S., CCC-SLP is a licensed, ASHA-certified pediatric speech-language pathologist at Therapy Clubhouse, where she helps children from birth to 18 build communication and confidence through in-home and telehealth speech therapy. Learn more on Nita’s bio page.

If your child is showing early signs of autism, learn how our speech and occupational therapy for children with autism can help.

Early signs are patterns rather than single moments. Some parents notice a child who repeats words and phrases, some notice sensory differences, and some are weighing communication options including how AAC helps children who are not yet speaking. Any concern here belongs with your pediatrician first.

Ready to take the next step? Call (805) 702-3427 or schedule a free 15-minute consultation with a licensed pediatric therapist.

Wondering about something else? Browse the Parent FAQ for answers from our licensed therapists.

This article is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice or a substitute for an individualized evaluation. Every child is different. If you have concerns about your child’s speech, language, or development, please consult a qualified professional.