Early signs of autism in toddlers often appear between 12 and 24 months and usually involve differences in social communication, play, and how a child responds to people, routines, and sensory experiences. Noticing these patterns early lets families pursue screening and begin support during a period of rapid brain development.
Many families our team at Allium Behavioral Services partners with first noticed something during ordinary moments: a name called without a glance back, toys lined up the same way every day, or early words that faded. This guide outlines what to watch for, how signs vary, and practical next steps toward autism support in Baltimore County.
Common Early Signs of Autism in Toddlers
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that shapes how a child communicates, plays, and learns. The CDC’s guide to autism signs groups early signs into two broad areas: social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors and interests.
Social Communication and Interaction
Many early signs involve how a toddler shares attention, gestures, and uses words. Because these skills emerge at predictable ages, the table below outlines what to watch for at each stage.
Play, Routines, and Sensory Patterns
- Lining up toys or playing with them the same way each time
- Repeating words or phrases heard earlier (echolalia)
- Preferring strong sameness in routines, with big reactions to small changes
- Repetitive movements such as hand flapping, rocking, or spinning
- Responding very strongly, or very little, to sounds, textures, lights, or smells
- Focusing intensely on parts of objects, such as the wheels on a toy car
Loss of Previously Learned Skills
A loss of babbling, words, or social skills a child once used warrants a prompt conversation with your pediatrician at any age. The Autism Speaks signs of autism overview lists regression as a reason to request an evaluation.
Early Signs of Autism in Toddlers by Age
Early signs of autism in toddlers often become clearer between 12 and 24 months, as communication and social skills expand quickly. This summary draws on CDC and Autism Speaks milestone guidance.
| Age | Signs to Watch For |
| By 12 months | Rarely responds to their name; shows few facial expressions such as happy, sad, or surprised; seldom joins back-and-forth games like pat-a-cake; uses few gestures such as waving, reaching, or showing |
| By 18 months | Rarely brings objects over to share interest; uses few or no single words; seldom points to show something interesting |
| By 24 months | Uses few meaningful two-word phrases; notices less often when others are hurt or upset |
Earlier signs remain worth discussing if they continue into later months.
How Signs Can Show Up Differently in Each Child
Autism is a spectrum, so every toddler presents a unique profile. One child may babble and use words on schedule while showing limited eye contact and shared attention. Another may connect warmly with family and communicate mostly by guiding an adult’s hand toward what they want. Some children show signs before their first birthday, while others plateau or lose skills between 15 and 24 months.
Signs can also be subtler in some children, including many girls. Many toddlers without autism show one or two of these behaviors, so clinicians look for patterns: how often a behavior occurs, whether it appears across settings and people, and whether it occurs alongside other signs. A single observation works best as a starting point for a conversation with your child’s doctor.
Strengths Are Part of the Picture
Early signs often appear alongside real strengths, such as strong visual memory or a love of letters and numbers. These strengths become building blocks for future learning.
What to Do If You Notice These Signs
If something has caught your attention, these steps offer a clear path forward:
- Write down what you observe. Note specific behaviors and how often they occur. Short videos help providers see what you see at home.
- Talk with your child’s pediatrician. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends autism-specific screening at the 18-month and 24-month well visits, often using the M-CHAT-R/F questionnaire.
- Request a diagnostic evaluation if recommended. Your pediatrician can refer your child to a developmental pediatrician, psychologist, or diagnostic team.
- Reach out to your local early intervention program. Maryland’s early intervention system for children under age 3 accepts referrals directly from families and provides evaluations at no cost.
- Begin support while you wait. Early intervention services can often begin before a formal diagnosis, so your child keeps building skills during the evaluation process.
How Evidence-Based ABA Therapy Can Help
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is one of the most researched approaches for young children with autism. ABA therapy for autism uses play, structured routines, and positive reinforcement to help children build communication, social, play, and daily living skills. Research shows that support beginning in the toddler and preschool years can contribute to meaningful growth in communication and adaptive skills for many children.
What Clinic-Based ABA Looks Like for Toddlers
Through our clinic-based early intervention services, young children in Rosedale and surrounding communities receive:
- A play-based assessment led by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) to identify your child’s strengths, interests, and goals
- An individualized behavior plan built around those goals
- Sessions where children practice requesting, imitating, turn-taking, and following daily routines
- Ongoing data collection that guides clinical decisions and documents progress
- Parent training that carries strategies into mealtimes, bedtime, and play at home
Partnering With Families Across Baltimore County
Families are active partners at every stage of care. Our team collaborates with pediatricians, therapists, and early intervention providers so skills carry over across settings. Meet our family-centered ABA team serving Rosedale, White Marsh, Perry Hall, and Baltimore City.
Frequently Asked Questions About Early Signs of Autism
What are early signs of autism in toddlers?
Early signs of autism in toddlers often include responding to their name less often, few gestures such as pointing or waving, fewer shared smiles and looks, delayed words, repetitive play, a strong preference for sameness, and unusual sensory responses. Loss of previously learned skills at any age also warrants a pediatrician visit.
At what age can autism be identified?
Signs often emerge between 12 and 24 months. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends autism screening at 18 and 24 months. According to the CDC, a diagnosis by an experienced professional can be considered reliable by age 2.
What should parents do first?
Write down what you notice and schedule a visit with your child’s pediatrician to request developmental and autism screening. Maryland families can also contact their local early intervention program directly for a free evaluation for children under age 3.
Does a toddler need an autism diagnosis to start ABA therapy?
Most Maryland insurance plans, including Maryland Medicaid, require an autism diagnosis to authorize ABA therapy. While an evaluation is underway, early intervention services can support your child’s development.
Connect Today: Autism Support in Baltimore County
Noticing early signs is a thoughtful first step, and our clinicians partner with parents to build an individualized path forward. Connect with our team to discover how Allium Behavioral Services in Rosedale can support your family.