Early Signs of Autism in Children

Written on 7th Jun 2023 by Alex Lowery

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Autism is a developmental condition that affects a person’s ability to communicate, interact with others, and engage in social activities. It can be diagnosed at nearly any age including even adulthood in some cases. It is normally diagnosed in early childhood at the earliest, but signs of autism can appear in toddlers and even babies to an extent. Here are some of the early signs of autism in children and toddlers that parents should look out for.

1. Lack of eye contact: Young children with autism may avoid eye contact or have difficulty maintaining eye contact with their parents. One very subtle hint for me is when my mum used to breastfeed me as a baby, I would turn my head as if I was uncomfortable with the contact of it.

2. Delayed speech and language development: Autistic children may be slow to start talking, and have difficulty putting into words what they want to say or forming sentences. When I was little I mostly spoke in my own language but would also use echolalia where I repeated words and phrases I had learned.

3. Repetitive behaviors: Children and Toddlers with autism may engage in repetitive behaviors, such as rocking back and forth, flapping their hands, or lining up toys. I used to line all my Thomas the Tank engine collection in a row. I am also told I was one of the most extreme for Stimming in Brondyffren.

4. Difficulty with social interaction: Children with autism may have difficulty playing with others or may prefer to play alone. I often would play games very differently from other kids. You can read an article I wrote about this here.

5. Sensory sensitivities: Children and Toddlers with autism may be overly sensitive or under-sensitive to certain noises, bright lights, smells, touch, or tastes.

6. Unusual attachment to objects: Children and toddlers with autism may develop an unusual attachment to objects, such as a particular toy or blanket. I used to love touching velvet as a child as the feeling was so soft and pleasant

Thank you for reading. It is important to note that not all autistic children will exhibit all of these traits, and some children may show traits of autism that are not listed here. If you are worried about your child’s development or if you notice any of these traits, I’d recommend seeing a specialist and seeking out a diagnosis.

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