How do I Know if My Child Has Autism?

Some of the most common questions we get asked are “how do I know if my child has autism?” or “how can I help my child with autism?” First, it’s important to understand that autism is a wide spectrum and varies from person to person. To help, we’ve included the CDC’s list of signs that your child may have autism below. This list is quite long, and some of these symptoms may not seem problematic, however, if your child is displaying any of these symptoms, it is best to contact your pediatrician and request an evaluation. 

General Red Flags or Potential Signs of Autism

• Not respond to their name by 12 months of age

• Not point at objects to show interest (point at an airplane flying over) by 14 months

• Not play “pretend” games (pretend to “feed” a doll) by 18 months

• Have unusual reactions to the way things sound, smell, taste, look, or feel

• Display consistent repetitive behaviors such as flapping their hands, rocking their body, or spinning in circles

• Have obsessive interests that cause challenging behavior if removed or prevent engagement in other interests or activities

• Hyperactivity (very active)

• Impulsivity (acting without thinking) beyond what is age appropriate

• Short attention span for their age

• Cause injury to themselves

• Consistently get upset by minor changes in daily routine

• Aggressive

• Temper tantrums beyond what is age appropriate

• Persistent unusual eating and sleeping habits 

• Unusual mood or emotional reactions

• Lack of fear or more fear than expected for the situation

Social Skills 

• Avoids eye-contact

• Prefers to play alone

• Struggles to take turns or play games/activities introduced by others

• Does not share interests with others

• Only interacts to achieve a desired goal

• Has flat or inappropriate facial expressions

• Does not understand personal space boundaries

• Avoids or resists physical contact

• Is not comforted by others when indistress

• Has trouble understanding other people’s feelings or talking about own feelings

Communication Skills

• Delayed speech and language skills

• Repeats words or phrases previously heard either repeatedly, as an immediate response to a question or interaction, or out of context (echolalia) 

• Reverses pronouns (e.g., says “you” instead of “I”)

• Gives unrelated answers to questions

• Uses few or no gestures (e.g., does not wave goodbye)

• Talks in a flat, robot-like, or sing-song voice

• Does not understand jokes, sarcasm, or teasing

Unusual Interests

• Lines up toys or other objects

• Plays with toys the same way every time

• Consistently engages with  parts of objects (e.g., wheels) instead of using the object functionally

• Is very organized

• Has obsessive interests

• Has to follow certain routines

• Engages in repetitive behavior throughout the day

Depending on your area, it may take a few weeks to a few months to have an evaluation completed. Generally, autism evaluations can be completed by an MD or a PsyD who focuses on behavioral health and/or autism. 

Prior to evaluation, it is recommended that parents complete the M-CHAT (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers ™), which can help you determine if a professional should evaluate your child. If the answers suggest your child has a high probability for autism, please consult with your child’s doctor. If the answers suggest they do not have a high probability of autism, and you remained concerned, please still speak to your doctor about next steps.

Resources:

Autism Signs. CDC.

Signs of Autism.  Autism Speaks

Autism Signs & Symptoms. Easter Seals