Many parents describe having a quiet, hard-to-articulate sense that something was different well before they had language for it — or a specific concern that a pediatrician or family member pointed out. Here's what the early signs of autism can actually look like.
Social and Communication Differences
Some of the earliest and most commonly noticed signs relate to social communication: limited or inconsistent eye contact, not responding consistently when their name is called, delayed babbling or first words compared to typical developmental timelines, not pointing to show interest in something (a behavior called "joint attention"), and limited interest in back-and-forth social games like peekaboo.
Play and Behavior Differences
Autistic toddlers often show differences in how they play and interact with objects: lining up toys or objects repeatedly rather than using them for pretend play, intense focus on specific parts of a toy (like spinning wheels) rather than the toy as a whole, strong preference for routine and distress when routines change unexpectedly, and repetitive movements like hand-flapping, rocking, or spinning.
Sensory Differences
Many autistic children show unusual responses to sensory input from a young age — being unusually sensitive to certain sounds, textures, or lights, or conversely, seeking out intense sensory input (spinning, crashing into things, seeking deep pressure). We cover sensory differences in more depth in our Sensory Processing content.
What "Watching For" Actually Means
It's worth being clear about something: no single sign on this list means your child is autistic, and the presence of a few of these differences doesn't automatically confirm anything. What matters is a pattern — multiple signs across communication, social interaction, and behavior, persisting over time, not a single behavior on a single day.
Trust Your Own Observations
Parents are often the first to notice something, sometimes well before it shows up on a standard developmental screening. If you have a persistent concern, it's worth acting on it even if a screening tool or a single conversation with a pediatrician doesn't immediately confirm your instinct. You know your child better than any checklist does.
What to Do If You Notice These Signs
The most important next step is a developmental screening — which you can request through your pediatrician or, in Michigan, through the free Early On program for children under three. From there, if concerns are confirmed, a referral to a qualified evaluator for a full autism evaluation is the next step; see How Is Autism Diagnosed in Michigan? Step-by-Step for what that process actually involves.
Why Acting Early Matters
We go deeper on why early intervention specifically matters in our Early Intervention guide, but the short version is: earlier action generally leads to better outcomes, and there's no real downside to pursuing an evaluation even if it turns out your child isn't autistic.
For Kentwood-Area Families
If your Kentwood-area toddler has received an autism diagnosis and you're exploring next steps, Our BCBA Assessments & Treatment Planning service is designed around exactly this kind of goal. our in-home ABA therapy in Kentwood page has more information, or Get Started Today to get started.
This article is part of our complete guide, What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder? Clinically reviewed by Kimberly Blazer, BCBA.