Early Warning Signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Every child is different and unique in their own special way. Each child’s developmental milestones may vary. Most young children with ASD may:
- Limited or inconsistent eye contact
- Not responding consistently to their name
- Delayed speech or language development
- Loss of previously acquired speech or social skills
- Limited use of gestures such as pointing, waving, or showing objects
- Difficulty expressing wants and needs
- Prefers playing alone rather than interacting with peers
- Limited interest in social interaction or difficulty engaging with others
- Repetitive behaviors such as hand flapping, rocking, spinning, or lining up toys
- Intense or unusual interests in specific objects or topics
- Difficulty with pretend or imaginative play
- Repeating words or phrases (echolalia)
- Unusual reactions to sounds, textures, lights, smells, or other sensory input
- Limited facial expressions or difficulty understanding emotions
- Difficulty sharing attention or enjoyment with others
- Challenges with turn-taking and social reciprocity
- Frequent tantrums or frustration related to communication difficulties
- Delayed imitation skills (copying actions, sounds, or gestures)
- Unusual attachment to specific objects or rituals
- Difficulty understanding social cues or personal space
- Toe walking or unusual body movements
- Mouthing or sensory-seeking behaviors beyond expected developmental age
- Limited interest in interactive games such as peek-a-boo or pat-a-cake
Early identification and intervention are important because children who receive support early often show stronger progress in communication, social interaction, learning, and adaptive functioning.
Signs and Symptoms
- Avoids or does not maintain eye contact
- Does not respond to name.
- Does not orient to the vocal or visual stimuli in the environment
- Does not recognize or show facial expressions like happy, sad, angry, and surprised by 9 months of age
- Does not take part in early social games like chase/run by 12 months of age
- Does not respond to or initiate greeting with others.
- Does not express interest in the events in the environment.
- Does not initiate or join play with other children.
- Does not engage in Functional Pretend Play.
- Does not imitate simple or complex actions of others in the environment.
- Engage in repetitive speech (i.e., repeating words/ phrases repeatedly)
- Likes to line up toys, or other objects.
- Lacks social flexibility and get upset with minor changes in routine or the order of things in the environment.
- Engage in behaviors like flapping hands, rocking back and forth, spinning in circles, biting self or others, spitting, mouthing non – edible items, and lining up objects in an order.