Do You Think Your Child May Have Autism?

Possible Signs of Autism

By 6 Months
  • Few or no big smiles or other warm, joyful and engaging expressions
  • Limited or no eye contact
By 9 Months
  • Little or no back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles or other facial expressions
By 12 Months
  • Little or no babbling
  • Little or no back-and-forth gestures such as pointing, showing, reaching or waving
  • Little or no response to name
By 16 Months
  • Very few or no words
By 24 Months
  • Very few or no meaningful, two-word phrases (w/o imitating or repeating)

Possible Signs of Autism at Any Age

  • Loss of previously acquired speech, babbling or social skills
  • Avoidance of eye contact
  • Persistent preference for solitude
  • Difficulty understanding other people’s feelings
  • Delayed language development
  • Persistent repetition of words or phrases (echolalia)
  • Resistance to minor changes in routine or surroundings
  • Restricted interests
  • Repetitive behaviors (hand flapping, rocking, spinning, etc.)
  • Unusual and intense reactions to sounds, smells, tastes, textures, lights and/or colors