Spectrum Signs: 10 Clear Signs of Autism in Toddlers

My journey, which I share with you today, is not just about recognizing spectrum signs, but also about amplifying awareness. When my son turned one, amidst the joyous milestones and his heartwarming giggles, I couldn’t help but notice certain behaviors that set him apart from his peers. Sharing my concerns with my husband was met with loving reassurance, “You’re just overthinking it,” he’d say.

But here’s something I’ve come to realize – ignoring a mother’s intuition isn’t an option. By the time our little one was 2.3 years old, we found ourselves in a room with a medical professional, hearing the term ‘autism’ in context to our son for the first time.

So, to every mother reading this, it isn’t about being paranoid. It is about being but proactive. Early intervention can make a world of difference for a child on the spectrum.

Deciphering Spectrum Signs in Infants and Toddlers

The term “spectrum signs” shines a spotlight on the broad range of behaviors and symptoms that are often indicators of autism spectrum disorder.

Typical Developmental Milestones for 1 Year-Old

While every toddler progresses at their own pace, there are general developmental milestones most children tend to achieve by specific ages.

1. Motor Skills: May start walking or take a few independent steps. Can sit down without assistance. Crawls forward on belly by pulling with arms and pushing with legs. Might be able to stand without support for a short time.
2. Cognitive Development: Starts to explore objects through poking, shaking, and banging. Understands simple commands, especially if gestural cues are provided (“Give it to mommy”). Enjoys peek-a-boo and other simple games. Begins to use objects correctly, such as holding a phone to the ear.
3. Language Skills: May say simple words like “mama” and “dada.” Reacts to simple spoken requests. Can understand simple words and phrases like “bye-bye.” Increases range of sounds and babbling, might mimic some sounds and gestures.
4. Social and Emotional Development: Has anxiety when separated from a primary caregiver (separation anxiety). Enjoys simple social games like peek-a-boo. May express simple emotions like joy, anger, and frustration. Shows preferences for certain people and toys.
5. Fine Motor Skills: Picks up small objects using thumb and index finger (pincer grasp). Can place objects into a container and take them out. Likes to bang things together. Claps hands and may wave “bye-bye.”
6. Sensory and Physical Development: Explores the world around them through touching and tasting. May have a well-established sleep routine. Shows interest in food textures and may begin using a sippy cup.

10 Signs of Autism in Infants Under 1 Year of Age

In those precious first months of life, every baby has their own pace of development. Yet, there are certain milestones and behaviors that many children tend to reach or display around similar ages. While a single missed milestone doesn’t necessarily signal autism, a pattern of behaviors might.

Reflecting on my son’s journey, and recalling those early days, here are 10 spectrum signs I observed which may manifest before a child turns one:

1. No Response to Name: One of the initial signs I noticed was that my son wouldn’t always turn or look when his name was called, almost as though he didn’t recognize it.

2. Limited Eye Contact: Instead of locking eyes during feeding or when being talked to, he often seemed to gaze past me or get fixated on other objects. You can read up my post on how to improve eye contect in autism here.
3. Lack of Pointing Recognition: When I would point at something to show him, he rarely looked in the direction of the pointing or seemed curious about what I was indicating.
4. Limited Imitation of Facial Expressions: Many babies love to mimic facial expressions, but there was a noticeable lack of this playful imitation with my son.
5. Reduced Interest in Peek-a-Boo: Games like peek-a-boo that most infants find engaging didn’t seem to capture his interest or evoke the typical joyful reactions.
6. Delayed Babbling: While most infants start babbling (making ‘ba’, ‘ma’, ‘da’ sounds) by around 6-9 months, there was a noticeable delay and almost no babbling from my son.
7. Inconsistent Response to Emotions: An indifference or reduced response to the emotional cues of those around them. For instance, not reacting much to a mother’s smile or showing limited empathy when another child is upset.
8. Physical Stiffness or Floppiness: Some babies might exhibit muscle stiffness, while others could seem floppier than typical infants of their age.
9. Overly Focused on Certain Items: Just as with older toddlers, even infants can display an unusual fixation, perhaps on a particular toy or household item, to the exclusion of other stimuli.
10. Repetitive Movements: Even at this age, some infants might show repetitive movements like flapping their hands or rocking for extended periods.

Understanding these signs can be instrumental for parents. While every child is unique, and many kids might exhibit one or two of these signs without having autism, recognizing a combination of them can be the first step toward seeking more early intervention.

Developmental Milestones for the 3-Year-Old

The age of three is a remarkable time in a child’s life. They’ve transitioned from being toddlers taking their initial steps to becoming more independent, expressive, and curious about the world around them.

For instance, by age 3, toddlers can carry on a simple conversation. They’ll display interest in playing with peers, or show empathy. Key developmental milestones typical for a 3-year-old include:

1. Language Skills: They rapidly expand their vocabulary, stringing five to six words together in sentences, and can usually hold simple conversations.
2. Motor Skills: Most three-year-olds can climb well, pedal a tricycle, and manage stairs independently using alternate feet. Their hand-eye coordination improves as they can cut with scissors, draw rudimentary shapes, and even dress and undress with minimal assistance.
3. Social Interaction: At this age, children become more social, displaying interest in playing with peers, understanding the concept of ‘mine’ and ‘theirs’, and developing friendships.
4. Cognitive Abilities: Their imaginative play is richer, they can count up to ten, and start understanding concepts like ‘bigger vs. smaller’ or ‘same vs. different’.
5. Emotional Development: Three-year-olds begin to display a wider range of emotions, show empathy towards others, and can express their feelings more clearly.

 While children develop at their own pace, consistent deviations from these milestones can be early signs of autism in toddler age 3. Some children might show symptoms earlier, but by age 3, these signs become more prominent, consistent, and noticeable.

10 Clear Spectrum Signs in 3-Year-Old Toddlers

1. Limited Eye Contact: One of the initial signs that made me pause was when my son wouldn’t hold or even make eye contact, especially during feeding or playtime. A prolonged lack of eye contact might be indicative.
2. Unresponsiveness to Name: By one year, most toddlers respond when called. But with my son, even the cheeriest calls of his name sometimes went unheeded, as if he was in his own world.
3. Difficulty with Social Interactions: While most toddlers his age were starting to play alongside peers, my son seemed disinterested. He’d often play alone, not noticing or caring if someone joined or left.
4. Repetitive Behaviors: While repetition is a part of toddler learning, my son would often line up his toys in a specific order, getting upset if even one was out of place.
5. Communication Challenges: By the age of 2, many toddlers start forming simple sentences. But for those with autism, they might rely more on gestures than words or might even parrot words (echolalia) without understanding their meaning.
6. Inconsistency in Responding: There were days when my son seemed to understand and follow a request, like “come here.” But on other days, the same request seemed not to register.
7. Over- or Under-Sensitivity to Stimuli: Sounds that didn’t bother other children, like the noise of a vacuum or mixer, would send him into a meltdown. On the contrary, he’d be oblivious to sensations like a cold floor.
8. Challenges with Change: Transitioning from one activity to another was a struggle. Routine became our best friend. An unplanned visit to the park or an unexpected guest could unsettle him for hours.
9. Fixation on Particular Subjects or Toys: While children have favorite toys, my son’s fixation on certain ones was intense. He’d spend hours with the same toy, exploring every detail.
10. Physical Milestones: While his peers were mastering skills like climbing or pedaling, my son seemed a little behind. Not all children with autism will face this, but some might have a delay in reaching physical milestones.

Every child’s journey on the spectrum is unique. While these signs were evident in my son, it’s crucial to remember that autism manifests differently for every individual. Early detection and understanding can make a world of difference.

Misconceptions and Myths Surrounding Spectrum Signs

When my son began to display unusual behaviors, well-meaning friends and family often tried to reassure me with various explanations. While their intent was pure, it’s essential to distinguish between misconceptions and the actual signs of autism.

1. Boys Always Speak Later: One of the first myths I encountered was that boys naturally develop speech skills later than girls. While there may be slight gender differences in development, significant speech delays should not be brushed off based on gender.
2. He’s Just Shy: Limited social interaction and avoiding eye contact were often dismissed as mere shyness. However, while some children might be introverted, a consistent lack of social interest could point towards spectrum signs.
3. Every Child Develops at Their Own Pace: This is partially true. Kids indeed have their own development timelines. But when multiple milestones are delayed or missed, it’s an indicator that a professional assessment might be needed.
4. It’s Just a Phase: Repetitive behaviors or fixations were often labeled as ‘phases.’ While children do go through phases, intense focus or repetitive actions that interfere with daily activities might be signs of something more.
5. Too Smart for Autism: When my son displayed his brilliance in certain areas, many said he couldn’t possibly have autism. But autism doesn’t equate to a lack of intelligence. Many on the spectrum have exceptional skills in specific areas.

Relying on myths can delay crucial interventions. While anecdotes and advice from loved ones can offer solace, professional assessments are invaluable. Recognizing the early signs and seeking professional insight ensures that children get the support they need.

The Final Takeaway

The journey of understanding spectrum signs is deeply personal, full of learning and acceptance. When I first started noticing differences in my son, it felt like stepping into uncharted territory. It taught me the strength in seeking knowledge, and the importance of trusting one’s intuition.

To all the parents who find themselves on a similar path, remember: you’re not alone. Your instincts and observations about your child are valid. Every child is unique, and recognizing their individual needs is a testament to your love and commitment. It’s a path filled with challenges, but also immense joy, love, and growth.