Spotting The Early Signs of Autism in Toddlers

By Tamara Gonzalez-Scheulov, M.S., CCC-SLP

If you're wondering whether your toddler's development is on track, you're not alone. Many parents begin noticing early signs of autism or differences in communication, play, or social interaction before they know what those differences might mean.

The most important thing to know is this: you don’t have to wait. If something feels off, it’s okay to ask questions and seek support.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that can influence how a child communicates, interacts with others, plays, learns, and experiences the world around them.

A Different way of Thinking About Autism

If you’ve found your way here, you might be wondering if something about your child’s

development feels a little different.

For many parents, the word autism can feel overwhelming at first. It can bring up questions, uncertainty, and sometimes even fear.

But here’s what’s important to know: A diagnosis of autism doesn’t change who your child is.

Your child is still the same sweet, loving, and unique individual they’ve always been.

What early identification and a diagnosis can do is help families better understand a child's unique strengths, differences, and support needs. It can also open the door to early intervention, parent coaching, specialized services, and practical strategies that support communication, social interaction, play, and overall development.

Every child develops in their own way, and no two children on the spectrum look exactly the same. Many children who receive support early on go on to build strong communication skills, relationships, and independence in their own unique way.

You don’t have to wait to start supporting your child.

If there are concerns about your child’s development, early support can make a meaningful difference. The early years are a time of rapid growth, and children learn best through everyday interactions, play, and connection.

Even without an official diagnosis, you can take steps to support your child’s development. Early intervention services, parent coaching, and simple strategies woven into daily routines can all help strengthen communication and engagement over time.

Common Early Signs of Autism to Look For

Early signs of autism often show up in everyday interactions, communication, and play. Below are some patterns parents may notice over time.

Social Communication

Some children may show differences in how they connect and engage with others, including:

• Limited or inconsistent eye contact

• Does not consistently respond to their name

• Fewer back-and-forth interactions (such as smiling, sharing attention, or engaging in simple social games)

Communication

Early communication includes more than just words - it also involves gestures, sounds, and shared attention.

• Little or no babbling by 12 months

• Limited use of gestures (pointing, waving, showing)

• Limited joint attention

• Delayed or limited spoken words

Many toddlers with autism also have delayed speech and language development, although communication profiles vary widely from child to child.

Play & Interaction

Play is an important way children learn and connect with the world around them.

• Focuses on parts of toys rather than using them as intended

• Prefers to play alone most of the time

• Limited or absent pretend play

Regression or Loss of Skills

In some cases, parents may notice a change in skills that were previously developing, including:

• Loss of previously used words or sounds

• Decreased use of gestures such as pointing, waving, or showing

• Less interest in interacting with others or sharing attention

• Reduced eye contact or social engagement compared to earlier stages

• Changes in play, such as becoming more repetitive or less interactive

• Loss of previously learned social skills or responses

When Should I Be Concerned?

While every child develops at their own pace, it's a good idea to talk with your pediatrician or a speech-language pathologist if your toddler has limited babbling, isn't using gestures, isn't responding to their name consistently, has lost previously acquired skills, or you're concerned about their communication or social development.

What To Do Next

If you're noticing some of these patterns, it's okay to take the next step. You don't need to have all the answers to begin getting support. Early identification and intervention can make a meaningful difference, and support is available.

You can start by:

• Talking with your child's pediatrician about your observations and requesting a developmental screening.

• Tracking your child's milestones using the CDC Milestone Tracker App to monitor development over time.

• Completing the M-CHAT-R™ (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised) if your child is between 16 and 30 months of age. This screening tool can help determine whether a comprehensive evaluation is recommended.

• Contacting your local Early Intervention program, such as Florida Early Steps, if your child is under age 3.

• Contacting your local school district's Child Find program if your child is age 3 or older.

• Connecting with a speech-language pathologist (SLP) if you have concerns about your child's communication, play, or social interaction.

• Seeking a comprehensive developmental or autism evaluation if recommended by your child's healthcare provider or screening results.

If you're not sure where to start, you're not alone. Many families benefit from guidance on how to support communication through everyday play, routines, and interactions.

At Little Chatterbox, I provide relationship-based, play-centered speech and language therapy and parent coaching to help families feel confident supporting their child's communication and development.

Schedule a Consultation →

About the Author

Tamara Gonzalez-Scheulov, M.S., CCC-SLP, is the founder of Little Chatterbox, LLC and a speech-language pathologist with experience across Early Intervention, private practice, and school-based settings. She specializes in supporting infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary-aged children with speech, language, social communication, and school readiness skills. Her approach combines evidence-based practice with play, connection, and family-centered coaching.