Most parents sense that something is different before any doctor says so: a baby who does not look back when smiled at, a toddler who does not turn when called, or a child who has stopped using words they once said. Autism can often be recognised between 12 and 24 months, and the earlier a child begins therapy, the more it helps. This article explains the early signs of autism by age, how screening works, and what you can do next.
Autism in toddlers: quick answers
- Earliest signs: Little eye contact or social smiling, not responding to their name, no babbling or pointing by 12 months, and no words by 16 months.
- Loss of skills: Any loss of speech, babbling or social skills at any age is a red flag that needs prompt assessment.
- Screening: Doctors commonly use a short parent questionnaire, such as M-CHAT, at 18 and 24 months, followed by a full assessment if needed.
- What to do: Do not wait and see. Speak to your paediatrician, get a hearing test and a developmental assessment, and start early support.
- Homeopathy: Can be offered as supportive care for the child and family, never in place of therapy.
What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a child communicates, interacts with others and responds to the world around them. It is present from early life, although it may become obvious only when social and language demands increase in the second year. It is not caused by anything parents have done, and it is not a sign of poor parenting or too much screen time.
Every autistic child is different. Some speak late or not at all and need a great deal of support, while others learn to talk early, read early or have exceptional memory but find friendships and change difficult. That is why it is called a spectrum.
Early Signs of Autism by Age
| Age | What most children do | Possible signs of autism |
|---|---|---|
| By 6 months | Smile and laugh in response to people, make eye contact, make sounds | Few or no big smiles, little eye contact, little response to sounds or faces |
| By 12 months | Babble, respond to their name, wave bye-bye, point, show interest in others | No babbling, no response to name, no waving or pointing, no gestures |
| By 16 months | Say single words with meaning, imitate sounds and actions | No words, little imitation, does not play with toys in the usual way |
| By 24 months | Use two-word phrases, point to show things, play pretend, follow simple instructions | No two-word phrases, no pretend play, repetitive actions, loss of earlier words |
| After 24 months | Play beside and with other children, share interests, use words to ask and tell | Prefers to play alone, lines up toys, intense interest in parts of objects, strong need for sameness |
Not every child who misses one of these milestones has autism, and children develop at different speeds. But a pattern of several signs, or any loss of skills, is a reason to ask for a proper assessment.
Other Signs Parents Often Notice
- Repetitive movements such as hand-flapping, rocking, spinning or toe-walking
- Strong reactions to everyday sounds, textures, lights or foods, or an unusually high tolerance of pain
- Distress over small changes in routine, such as a different route or a new cup
- Lining up toys or watching spinning objects for long periods
- Not sharing enjoyment, such as bringing toys to show a parent
- Echoing words or phrases without using them to communicate
- Difficulty settling to sleep, eating a very limited range of foods, or frequent stomach upsets
Is It Autism or a Speech Delay?
Many toddlers who are slow to talk do not have autism. A child with a simple speech delay generally tries to communicate in other ways: pointing, gesturing, making eye contact, sharing smiles and playing pretend games. A child with autism may show less interest in communicating at all, with limited eye contact and gestures, and may use words in an unusual way or repeat words without a communicative purpose.
Hearing problems can also look like autism, since the child does not respond when called, so a hearing test is always part of the assessment. A developmental paediatrician, child psychologist or child psychiatrist can tell these apart.
What to Do If You Notice These Signs
Acting early is more important than getting a label. You can start the following steps right away:
- Talk to your paediatrician and share your observations, preferably with a short video of your child at play.
- Ask for a developmental screening, such as the M-CHAT questionnaire, which is usually done at 18 and 24 months and can be done earlier if you are concerned.
- Get your child’s hearing and vision checked to exclude other causes.
- Request a full developmental assessment from a developmental paediatrician, child psychologist or child psychiatrist.
- Begin therapy without waiting for a final diagnosis, such as speech therapy, occupational therapy and parent coaching.
- Plan for support, including preschool or special education and, if eligible, disability certification under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
Worried about your child’s development?
Every child is different, and so is the right plan of support. Speak to our experts about your child’s behaviour, speech, sleep and development. They will listen to your concerns, study your child’s history and discuss supportive care alongside the therapies your child needs.
Call +91 8080 850 950 for a 1:1 personal consultation with our experts today.
Early Therapies That Help
The brain is most responsive to learning in the first few years of life, which is why early intervention matters. Programmes with the best evidence are structured but playful, involve parents as partners, and are tailored to the child:
- Speech and language therapy to build communication, including gestures, pictures and words
- Occupational therapy to support play, self-care and sensory regulation
- Behavioural and developmental approaches such as ABA-based and play-based, relationship-focused programmes
- Parent training and coaching so that daily routines become opportunities to learn
- Special education and school support as the child grows
Supportive Homeopathic Care at Welling Homeopathy
At Welling Homeopathy, our doctors offer individualised homeopathic care for children with developmental concerns, with attention to behaviour, sleep, appetite, fears and temperament. This is offered as supportive care for the child and family, in addition to therapy, never as a substitute for it.
It is important to be clear: reliable scientific evidence that homeopathy treats the core features of autism is lacking, and no treatment should be described as a cure. Early assessment and therapy remain the foundation. To learn about our approach, see our speciality autism clinic page and the guide to the homeopathic medicines considered in autism.
Everyday Ways to Support Your Toddler at Home
- Get down to your child’s level, face them, and follow what interests them, then add a word or action to build the game
- Use short, clear sentences and gestures, pause, and give your child time to respond
- Sing, read picture books and play simple turn-taking games such as rolling a ball or peek-a-boo
- Keep a predictable routine, and use pictures to show what will happen next
- Limit passive screen time, and give lots of outdoor and sensory play
- Celebrate small steps, and avoid comparing your child with others
- Take care of yourself: share the load with family, and consider a parent support group
Frequently asked questions about autism in toddlers
1. At what age can autism be diagnosed?
Autism can often be reliably diagnosed from around 18 to 24 months, and sometimes earlier. A referral should not wait for a formal diagnosis if you are concerned.
2. Can a baby show signs of autism before 12 months?
Some signs can appear in the first year, such as little social smiling, limited eye contact and not responding to their name, but they are more recognisable after 12 months.
3. My toddler is not talking yet. Does that mean autism?
Not necessarily. Many late-talking toddlers do not have autism, but speech delay is a reason to have hearing checked and development assessed, especially if there are other signs.
4. What is the M-CHAT test?
The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers is a short parent questionnaire used for screening at 16 to 30 months. A positive screen is not a diagnosis; it means your child should have a full assessment.
5. Does my child lose their skills in autism?
Some children lose words or social skills, usually between 12 and 24 months. Any loss of skills is a red flag needing urgent assessment.
6. Can homeopathy treat autism in toddlers?
There is no reliable evidence that homeopathy treats autism. It can be used as supportive care for the child and family, but early assessment and therapy must not be delayed.
7. Is screen time a cause of autism?
No. Screen time does not cause autism, but excessive passive screen use can reduce the face-to-face interaction a child needs for language, so it is best limited in toddlers.
Related Reading
- Speciality Autism Clinic
- What Are The 3 Main Symptoms of Autism?
- What Are 5 Types of Autism? How Homeopathy Can Help?
- What is Natural Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder?
- Why Choose Welling Homeopathy Treatment For Autism?
- Unlocking Your Child’s Potential: Essential Tips for Parenting a Child with Autism
- 10 Best Homeopathic Medicines for Treatment of Speech Delay in Children
- 10 Best Homeopathic Medicines for Treatment of Developmental Delay in Children
To consult Welling Homeopathy experts, call +91 80 80 850 950.
Disclaimer: this page is for information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Results vary from person to person.
