Every child develops at their own pace. Some find their words quickly, while others take a little longer, and many need time and space to reach new milestones. But sometimes, differences in the way a child communicates, plays, responds to others, or experiences the world may be worth paying attention to. These differences can be early signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Learning the early signs of autism doesn’t mean labelling your child. It means giving yourself a chance to understand them sooner. Early identification leads to early support, and early intervention can make a significant difference in a child’s development.
Signs of Autism in Babies (6 to 12 Months)
In the first year, we mostly watch how babies connect. Signs of autism in babies can include:
- Limited or reduced eye contact during social interactions
- Less frequent social smiling or smiling back in response to a familiar caregiver
- Reduced babbling, cooing, or back-and-forth exchanges of sounds and facial expressions
- By around 9–12 months, not consistently turning or responding when their name is called
- Less interest in looking back and forth between a caregiver and an interesting object or activity to share attention
None of these signs, on their own, is a cause for alarm. Babies develop at different rates, and a quieter period doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong. What matters is the broader pattern, especially when several of these differences persist over time.
Signs of Autism in Toddlers (12 to 24 Months)
As toddlers start exploring and communicating more, differences often become easier to spot. Signs of autism in toddlers can include:
- Fewer gestures like pointing, waving or nodding
- Less interest in showing you things they’ve found
- Difficulty following simple, one-step instructions
These signs of autism in toddlers often manifest during play, too. For instance, some toddlers may:
- Show little interest in other children
- Rarely initiate or participate in common games like peekaboo
- Line up toys or spin wheels rather than using them as intended
- Sensory responses can shift too, with some toddlers becoming distressed by loud noises or bright lights, or actively seeking out certain textures, smells or movements
If you’d like a simple way to check your child’s development against the early signs of autism, you can use the free ASDetect app. Developed by La Trobe University’s Autism Research Centre, the app guides parents through a series of questions and suggests whether it may be worth speaking with a professional.
When Signs Become Clearer (24 to 36 Months)
By two and three years old, social expectations rise, and gaps can stand out more. You might notice a strong preference for the same route, food or routine, with distress when things change unexpectedly. Repetitive movements such as hand flapping, tiptoe walking or holding the arms stiffly sometimes appear here too, alongside an intense focus on specific objects, topics or media watched on repeat.
Their need to seek sensory experiences may be more apparent at this stage, too, such as:
- Smelling objects
- Rubbing toys against their face or lips
- Enjoying particular textures or movement
What To Do If You’re Noticing These Signs
If several of these signs feel familiar, start with your Maternal and Child Health Nurse or GP. They can talk through what you’ve noticed and check your child’s development against expected milestones. Most importantly, they can help determine whether further developmental assessment is appropriate. They can refer you for an autism spectrum assessment if needed.
For a broader look at how early signs of autism are recognised, Raising Children Network is a useful, Australian-specific resource.
Every Child’s Journey Is Different
Seeing one or two of these behaviours does not necessarily mean a child is autistic. Many young children temporarily show similar behaviours as they develop. What matters is the overall pattern, rather than any single moment. If these differences recur, reach out to autism specialists like Solongo.
What Support Looks Like at Solongo
At Solongo, we offer assessments, individualised intervention planning, and genuine family partnership to support your child. From the very first session, therapy is shaped around their needs, interests, and skills.
Parents are an important part of this process, too. Through early intervention parent coaching, you learn practical strategies you can integrate into daily routines.
If you’re starting to explore what early childhood intervention could look like for your child, you may find our article on the benefits of ESDM therapy a helpful place to begin. If you’d like to learn more about this approach, our guide to play-based therapy explores its importance in early childhood intervention.
Additionally, families accessing support through the early intervention NDIS and taking part in our ESDM programs benefit even more from personalised support.
Support Doesn’t Have to Wait for a Diagnosis
Early intervention can actually begin before an autism diagnosis is finalised. Assessment processes take time, and waiting on paperwork shouldn’t mean waiting on support.
Trust your instincts, start the conversation with a professional, and know that support can be tailored to your child and your family, whenever you’re ready.
