14 Early Autism Signs and Symptoms in Young Children

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by a diverse range of social, communicative, and behavioral patterns that may deviate from typical development in children. The presentation of ASD symptoms can vary significantly among individuals, manifesting across a continuum from mild to profound. Notably, there are 14 recognized behaviors that frequently serve as early indicators of autism in children, each of which may signal the need for a professional evaluation.

1. Disconnection to Others

Children with autism may exhibit behaviors that suggest a lack of emotional connection with family members, such as parents and siblings. This can include difficulty in interpreting and responding to social cues, such as facial expressions. While it may appear that children with autism are emotionally distant, it is more accurate to say they often process social information differently and may not respond typically to emotional stimuli. It is also observed that infants with autism might show reduced instances of smiling or sharing joyful expressions, as well as engage less in the reciprocal exchange of sounds or facial expressions that is commonly seen by the age of 9 months. It is essential to recognize these early indicators to provide the appropriate support and interventions.

2. Apparent Lack of Empathy

Children on the autism spectrum often exhibit challenges in experiencing empathy, an emotion that can already be complex to assess in young children. These individuals may struggle to grasp different perspectives, mistakenly believing others share their viewpoint, which can lead to confusion and difficulty predicting others' behavior. Importantly, this limited understanding is not indicative of an inability to feel empathy; rather, it reflects a divergent developmental trajectory commonly associated with autism spectrum disorders. It is also important to recognize that the emotional spectrum in autistic children may appear more restricted, and empathy may not be as readily expressed or developed as in their neurotypical peers.

3. Indifferent to Human Interaction

Children typically exhibit sociable behaviors early in development, yet those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may demonstrate distinct signs of social disengagement. Such signs include an absence of eye contact, non-responsiveness to their name, a lack of mimicking expressions, and no attempt to reach out during interactive play. Autistic children may also show little interest in conventional developmental activities and social imitation.

These indicators often emerge between one to eighteen months of age, becoming more prominent as the child grows and social interactions increase. By the age of three, it is common for children to actively engage with peers and toys; however, children with ASD may prefer solitary play and have a diminished interest in toys. By the age of four, a child with autism might markedly disregard the presence of peers during preschool or group settings, highlighting differences in social engagement.

4. Emotional Outbursts

Children with autism may sometimes have atypical emotional reactions to everyday events, potentially resulting in extreme responses such as intense tantrums or aggression towards themselves or others. Exhibiting a lack of control over their emotions and actions can be particularly pronounced in unfamiliar or stressful situations. Parents are encouraged to attentively observe their child's social and emotional development, being mindful of key milestones and expected behaviors for their age. If unusual emotional outbursts persist, it is important to document these incidents. Detailed records can be invaluable when discussing concerns with a healthcare provider, as they may assist in the diagnostic process should an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) be suspected.

5. Delayed Language Development

By the time a child reaches three years, it is common for them to emulate speech patterns and start babbling, often articulating single words to identify objects or seek parental attention. Conversely, children diagnosed with autism may exhibit delayed speech development, sometimes not demonstrating noticeable language abilities until they engage in specialized speech therapy.

Developmental milestones can serve as a guideline for typical language progression: at 12 months, it is expected that a child will communicate using simple words; by 18 months, their vocabulary should include a minimum of six words; at the age of two, they should begin to form basic two-word combinations; and by three years old, complete basic sentences should be achieved. A deviation from these milestones, especially when accompanied by other indicative behaviors, may suggest autism and warrants further evaluation.

6. Prone to Non-Verbal Communication

Children with autism often experience delayed verbal communication development, leading to a reliance on non-verbal methods such as drawing or gesturing to express themselves and interact. Regressive behavior in verbal skills is also a characteristic sign of autism, where children may lose previously acquired vocabulary or revert to earlier communication stages. Observing a child's interactions with peers and adults is crucial, as those with autism might communicate less verbally and may have difficulties understanding the nuances of gestural exchanges. It's important to monitor these signs for early identification and support.

7. Difficulty Understanding Figurative Expressions

Children with autism frequently find it challenging to grasp figurative language, as they may not infer additional meanings from people's mannerisms or facial expressions. Similarly, they may struggle to pick up on conversational cues signaled through variations in tone, making it difficult for them to differentiate between tones of happiness, sadness, or anger. This can extend to a reduced ability to identify sarcasm or comprehend non-verbal communication such as body language.

In addition, these children might experience difficulty in distinguishing reality from fantasy. While many young children possess active imaginations and do not fully grasp the distinction between actuality and make-believe, children with autism often perceive no boundary between the two. Notably, some autistic children exhibit a particularly rich imagination, occasionally showing a preference for engaging with their own fantastical creations.

8. Repetitive Behaviors

Individuals on the autism spectrum often exhibit repetitive behaviors, which is a hallmark symptom of the condition. These behaviors can include the meticulous ordering of objects, persistent rocking, hand-flapping, or the continual repetition of words and phrases. Such tendencies are among the first indicators of autism that parents may notice during early childhood development.

Children with autism may also experience challenges with motor skills, which can become evident when they struggle with tasks such.Other children at the same developmental stage might easily manage these tasks, creating clear and recognizable drawings, whereas autistic children might produce less structured shapes. Despite occasional interest in varied activities, a return to repetitive behaviors could indicate the presence of an autism spectrum disorder.

9. Pica

Individuals with autism, spanning from children to adults, may exhibit a condition called pica—a compelling tendency to ingest non-edible items. For example, vigilant supervision may be necessary to prevent the consumption of substances like soil, clay, or adhesive when in unsupervised settings such as outdoor environments or schools. Additionally, there is a tendency for autistic individuals to frequently place fingers or other non-safe objects in their mouths, and they might try to chew or swallow these items. It is intriguing to note that pica has been observed in pregnant women too, though a direct correlation between pica during pregnancy and subsequent autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in offspring remains to be established.

Pica carries considerable health risks, including increased susceptibility to bacterial infections and potential for internal injuries. While ingestion of non-food items can occur briefly in many children's developmental stages, a distinguishing characteristic in individuals with autism is the persistence of this behavior into older childhood, often despite cognizance of the inedibility of such items. This highlights the need for ongoing awareness and precautionary measures to protect the well-being of those affected by this condition.

10. Sensitivity to External Stimuli

Heightened sensitivity to sensory input is a commonly observed early indicator of autism spectrum disorder. Individuals with autism may experience intense stress or discomfort in response to particular sounds, luminosity levels, or specific olfactory, gustatory, or tactile stimuli. They often exhibit a preference for – or an aversion to – certain textures, colors, or clothing. Enhanced sensory input, such as a predilection for brightly lit environments or particular sounds, may also be sought by those on the spectrum. Autistic children might show signs of emotional distress if they are unable to engage with their preferred sensory experiences.

Conversely, they may exhibit avoidance behaviors towards stimuli that are perceived as unpleasant, which can lead to pronounced outbursts or tantrums when confronted with such situations. This atypical response is thought to stem from a unique sensory processing pattern in autistic individuals, affecting their behavior and emotional responses.

11. Obsessive Behaviors

Children with autism may exhibit signs of behavioral inflexibility as they grow and engage more with their surroundings. These symptomatic behaviors often manifest as repetitive and obsessive actions. For instance, a child might repeatedly indulge in a particular, sometimes atypical, activity that captivates their interest.

As outlined by Helpguide.org, older children may demonstrate an insistence on sameness, such as adhering strictly to familiar routes to school, struggling with unanticipated changes in schedule, or displaying a strong fixation on certain objects or narrow subjects, often characterized by a focus on numerical or symbolic information. This can extend to repetitive engagement with specific movements or parts of an object – spending extensive time observing a moving item like a ceiling fan or repetitively spinning the wheels of a toy car rather than playing with the toy as a whole.

12. Lack of Communication

Derived from slide 5 which identifies delayed language development as a preliminary indicator of autism, HealthyChildren.org elaborates that affected children typically exhibit broad communication challenges. These children may be nonverbal or exhibit substantial delays in language skills. Frequently, they show no inclination towards engaging in communication, evident through a lack of interest in initiating or participating in conversations. They often fail to respond to facial cues, do not acknowledge their names being called, and may not gesture to indicate their needs. When verbal expression begins, their speech may be rudimentary and prone to errors, such as pronoun reversals or echolalia, the tendency to repeat heard phrases without comprehending their content, as noted by HealthyChildren.org.

13. Seemingly Unresponsive

Autism Canada suggests that signs of autism may manifest between 12 to 24 months of age. Though a diagnosis prior to 24 months is challenging, observing the absence of typical behaviors can be a significant marker. As children mature, other indicators become more discernible, and even in infancy, levels of responsiveness to the environment offer clues to potential developmental concerns.

Individuals with autism might exhibit signs of unresponsiveness that can indicate their condition. According to HelpGuide.org, early warning signs include not engaging in eye contact, failing to recognize familiar voices, not tracking objects visually, or not acknowledging gestures like pointing. Additionally, affected children might not mimic expressions or movements, seek attention through sounds, or use communicative gestures, including waving or smiling. These early signs warrant professional evaluation to ensure timely support and intervention.

14. Don’t Like Being Touched or Cuddled

Discovering a child's developmental challenge can be a profound concern for any parent. With autism, however, timely detection is essential and can be transformative. Ideally identified by 18 months, early diagnosis significantly influences outcomes. As children transition from infancy, behavioral indications may emerge. For instance, a child with autism may exhibit aversion to physical contact, contrasting with typical developmental expectations. Autism Canada highlights this characteristic, noting the potential complexities it introduces during moments of distress and the broader implications for forming emotional bonds with family members and peers. Addressing such symptoms with appropriate interventions can enhance the child's social and emotional development.