Autism is a complex developmental disorder that affects communication, behavior, and social interaction. It is important to recognize the signs of autism early so that children can receive the appropriate interventions and support they need. In this blog, we will discuss the top 10 signs of autism and what they may look like in children. By understanding these signs, parents and caregivers can help identify and support children who may be on the autism spectrum.
Top 10 signs of autism
The CDC lists the following as the top 10 signs of autism:
- No babbling or pointing by age 1.
- No single words by 16 months or two-word phrases by age 2.
- No response to name.
- Loss of language or social skills.
- Poor eye contact.
- Excessive lining up of toys or objects.
- No smiling or social responsiveness.
- Impaired use of nonverbal communication.
- Unusual intense or focused interests.
- Unusual sensory interests or sensitivities.
It is important to note that these signs may not necessarily indicate autism on their own, and a professional evaluation is required for diagnosis.
Top 10 signs of autism in one year old
The top 10 indicators of autism in babies by one year old are:
- Lack of eye contact
- No babbling, pointing, or use of other gestures by 12 months
- No use of single words by age 16 months
- No use of two-word phrases by 24 months
- Repetitive movements, such as hand flapping or spinning
- Intense interest in certain topics
- Unusual reactions to the way things sound, smell, taste, look, or feel
- Delayed language skills
- Not showing signs of smiling by 6 months
- Having a regression in development, with loss of language or social skills
Top 10 signs of autism in two year olds
The top 10 autism signs in babies by two years old are:
- Delayed speech development or lack of speech
- Lack of interest in social interaction or play with others
- Poor eye contact
- Repetitive behavior or routines
- Unusual reactions to sensory stimuli (e.g. certain sounds, textures or smells)
- Difficulty understanding and following simple instructions
- Failure to imitate others
- Lack of emotional expression or difficulty expressing emotions
- Limited interest in imaginative play
- Unusual attachment to objects (e.g. obsessively carrying around a specific toy)
Top 10 autism signs in three year olds
The top 10 indicators of autism in babies by three years of age are:
- Lack of eye contact
- No response to their name
- Social detachment
- Repetitive movements such as rocking, spinning or hand flapping
- High sensitivity to sounds, tastes, textures, lights or colors
- Not seeming to be sensitive to pain or temperature
- Little or no desire to be picked up or held
- Impulsivity and aggression
- Persistent, severe temper tantrums
- Irregular reaction to sounds, smells, etc.
29 Autism Checklists
There are several checklists available to screen for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in young children. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) is recommended for initial screening in children up to 30 months of age. This two-part screen consists of a 20-item parent-completed checklist with yes/no questions about early signs of ASD, followed by a staff-completed structured interview that is only necessary for indeterminate scores. A total score is generated based on the number of items that are flagged. Children with persistent deficits on M-CHAT Revised with Follow-Up (M-CHAT-R/F) require further evaluation.
Another screening tool that can be utilized is the Screening Tool for Autism in Toddlers and Young Children (STAT). This interactive tool is designed for children when developmental concerns are suspected. It consists of 12 activities assessing play, communication, and imitation skills, and takes 20 minutes to administer.
It is important to note that while these checklists can be helpful in identifying early signs of ASD, a diagnosis of ASD should only be made by a qualified healthcare professional, such as a developmental pediatrician, child neurologist, or child psychiatrist, who can conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the child’s development.
- Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised (M-CHAT-R) – for toddlers between 16 and 30 months of age. Autism Speaks, M-CHAT Screen
- Autism Checklist – for children aged 2 to 5 years old. Center for Autism and Related Disorders
- Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) – for children aged 4 years and older. Autism Research Centre, National Autistic Society
- Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) – for adults, Embrace Autism
- Autism Spectrum Quotient-Children’s Version (AQ-Child) – for children aged 4 to 11 years old- NIH
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Offers free resources and information on autism, including screening tools and checklists.
- World Health Organization (WHO) – Provides information on autism, including diagnostic tools and resources.
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) – Offers information on autism, including research studies and diagnostic tools.
- Autism Speaks – Provides free resources and information on autism, including screening tools and checklists.
- American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) – Offers information on autism, including developmental milestones and screening tools.
- Autism Science Foundation – Provides free resources and information on autism research, including screening tools and checklists.
- Autism Society of America – Offers free resources and information on autism, including screening tools and checklists.
- National Autism Association (NAA) – Provides free resources and information on autism, including screening tools and checklists.
- Autism Research Institute (ARI) – Offers free resources and information on autism, including screening tools and checklists.
- The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) – Provides information on autism research and screening tools.
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) – Offers resources and information on autism and communication impairments.
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation (ASDF) – Provides free resources and information on autism, including screening tools and checklists. The ASDF also offers financial assistance to families affected by autism who require therapy, medical care, or other support.
- The Kennedy Krieger Institute – Provides free resources and information on autism, including screening tools.
- The Yale Child Study Center – Offers free resources and information on autism, including screening tools and checklists.
- The Marcus Autism Center – Provides free resources and information on autism, including screening tools.
- The Autism Research and Treatment Center at the University of California, San Diego – Offers free resources and information on autism, including screening tools and checklists.
- Gilliam Autism Rating Scale – Third Edition (GARS-3) – for children of all ages Pearson Assessments, Autism Research Institute
- Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) – for children of all ages. Western Psychological Services, Autism Research Institute
- PDD Behavior Inventory (PDDBI) – for children of all ages. Western Psychological Services, Autism Research Institute
- Developmental Behavior Checklist (DBC) – for children of all ages.
- Social Responsiveness Scale – Second Edition (SRS-2) – for children of all ages.
- Asperger Syndrome Diagnostic Scale (ASDS) – for children and adolescents aged 5 to 18 years old. Western Psychological Services, Autism Research Institute
- Autism Spectrum Rating Scales (ASRS) – for children and adolescents aged 2 to 18 years old.
- Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) – for children of all ages.
It is important to note that these signs alone do not necessarily mean that a child has autism, and only a professional evaluation can lead to a diagnosis.
