As your child goes from being an infant to becoming a toddler, you may begin to notice small differences in how your child communicates, plays, or responds to the world around them. These observations can raise questions about whether your child might be on the autism spectrum. If something feels different, trust your instincts. Paying attention is often the first step toward understanding your child and finding the right support.
Because of the wide variation in symptoms and the severity of those symptoms for autism, the full name is autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While ASD is different from one child to the next, it’s commonly characterized by impaired social communication and restrictive, repetitive behaviors.
There aren’t any medical tests to help parents, caregivers, and doctors identify ASD. Instead, doctors consider a child’s developmental history and behavior at home, during playdates, in daycare, at school, and more. Children with mild symptoms may have no significant deficits, but in many cases, ASD can be identified by its impact on developmental milestones.
Some developmental differences between young children with or without autism include:
- Pointing: Typically, babies start pointing at objects of interest to communicate that they want them. This usually happens by 15 months of age. Kids with autism are less likely to point and more likely to take you by the hand and lead you to the thing they want, a behavior called hand-leading.
- Attention and sharing: Kids also point to show you something interesting. This involves a skill called joint attention and is a way for kids to share with people around them. They may also hand you an object they want you to see. Kids with autism can become intensely interested in things but are less likely to share those things with others.
- Supplemental gestures: Typically, toddlers start using a combination of words and gestures, such as pointing to their plate and saying “more” to ask for more food. This more complex form of communication is challenging for kids with ASD.
It can be difficult to see early signs of autism spectrum disorder in young children because the first months and years of life are filled with so much growth and change. If you have concerns about your child’s development, please don’t hesitate to ask questions. Your care team at Wee Care Pediatrics is here to help!
Early Signs of Autism in Children
Kids with milder symptoms may not be identified early on and could miss out on support services until symptoms become more noticeable. Autism spectrum disorder that isn’t diagnosed in early childhood is sometimes identified later on, as the increased need to socialize and communicate makes symptoms more obvious. In many cases, however, signs and symptoms start showing up by the ages of two or three.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provides a list of common developmental milestones broken down by age, starting at two months and ending at five years. Additionally, the CDC offers the free Milestone Tracker app through the “Learn the Signs. Act Early” program to help parents know what to look for.
Kids typically develop certain behaviors and skills in a typical age range. If your child isn’t picking up new skills or developing at a typical rate, or if they suddenly lose skills they previously had, that might be an indication of ASD. Other common symptoms of ASD include:
- Not responding to their name
- Not liking to be held or cuddled
- A lack of eye contact or facial expressions
- Delayed speech or lack of speech
- Speaking with an atypical tone or rhythm, their speaking voice may sound robotic or sing-songy
- Repeating words or phrases, a behavior known as echolalia
- Difficulty communicating or understanding emotions
- Difficulty using or understanding body language
- Trouble interacting with people at daycare, school, or in social settings
- Repetitive movements
- Rigid with routine and having a hard time with changes
- An unusually intense focus on objects or activities
- Picky with eating and dislikes certain tastes and textures
Please keep in mind that normally developing kids might have some of the above features. Having some of the features above doesn’t mean your child has autism.
Autism Screenings at Your Pediatrician’s Office
Developmental screenings usually happen during your child’s well-child visits. These screenings look for a variety of developmental disorders, including ASD. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends screening for autism at 18 and 24 months. Additional screenings might be scheduled if you or your doctor has a concern, or if your child has additional risk factors (like having a family history of ASD).
While there aren’t any medical tests for ASD, there are many different screening and assessment methods. A pediatrician may start by observing your child and assessing language development, mobility, cognition, emotional development, and behavior.
What happens after a positive autism screening?
The news of a positive screening for autism can feel overwhelming for both kids and parents. It’s common to have many questions about what the next weeks and months might look like and what this means for your child’s future. Give yourself time to process and remember that an autism diagnosis is not a deadline or a limitation but a starting point for understanding your child’s unique strengths and needs.
After a positive autism diagnosis, your pediatrician is here to help guide you to the right support and resources that can make a meaningful difference for your child and your family. Autism affects each child in unique ways, so the next steps often focus on identifying the specific areas where your child may benefit from extra support, such as communication, social interaction, sensory processing, or daily routines. Your pediatrician can help coordinate referrals for developmental evaluations, therapy services, and early intervention programs.
In the meantime, you might need to adjust your home environment to better suit your child’s needs. That could mean creating structure and routine in your child’s day, increasing transition times, and eliminating potential dangers, distractions, or triggers. While the diagnosis may feel overwhelming at first, you don’t have to navigate the path forward alone. Your pediatric care team is there to support your child’s growth and help your family take the next steps with confidence.
Early Intervention Services for Children with Autism
Children on the autism spectrum often experience the world in unique ways, which can sometimes make social interactions or reading facial expressions more challenging. Some children may need extra support with learning, while others may thrive academically or show remarkable strengths in specific areas. Autism is called a spectrum because every child’s experience is different, and there’s not a single path or set of abilities that defines it. As a parent, it can be helpful to remember that your child’s needs, strengths, and challenges are uniquely their own, and the supports and interventions recommended will be tailored to help them grow, connect, and succeed in their own way.
Early intervention is associated with better long-term outcomes for kids on the spectrum. Intervention services may include applied behavior analysis (ABA), which helps kids learn skills that increase their ability to interact and communicate with others. Other forms of developmental intervention include: speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, sensory integration therapy, and other treatments. Depending on your child’s age, it could also mean getting a speech board to help with communication, finding and building support structures, and working with your school’s special education team to establish an individualized education program (IEP) designed to support your child’s specific needs.
Your child’s pediatrician is often the cornerstone of your child’s care team. They keep the lines of communication open between departments and specialists to make sure everyone is on the same page, and they’re the first point of contact for any questions or concerns.
Insurance, Referrals, and Practical Logistics
The initial screenings for ASD will likely take place at the pediatrician’s office, but if it comes time for an evaluation, that’s often done by a specialist at a separate location. You can get an evaluation from a wide range of providers in Utah, and the costs vary.
The good news is that most providers accept at least some insurance plans in addition to out-of-pocket options. If you’re unsure about coverage, contact your insurance company to review your specific coverage details. It’s not uncommon for insurance to cover a service from one provider but not from another, so checking in advance can save you headaches in addition to money.
And if you have any questions about the evaluation process, the team at Wee Care Pediatrics is skilled, familiar with common stumbling blocks, and here to help support you in your parenting journey.
How Our Pediatric Clinic Supports Families
Discovering that you’re a parent of a child on the autism spectrum can be overwhelming and even a little scary, but you are not alone!
The prevalence of ASD is always changing as our ability to identify and diagnose the disorder improves, but recent estimates put it at about one out of every 32 children (3.2%) over the age of eight. So, there are plenty of other parents out there experiencing the same joys and challenges you and your family are.
If you’re beginning this journey, remember that you don’t have to navigate it alone. With the support of your pediatric care team, early intervention services, and trusted resources, families can find meaningful ways to help their child grow and thrive. Every child on the autism spectrum is unique, and progress often happens one step at a time. With patience, understanding, and the right support, children with autism can build skills, form connections, and reach their own wonderful potential.
Reach out to your care team at Wee Care Pediatrics with any questions or concerns you have. We’re here to support you and your family as you navigate your child’s path ahead with confidence so they can thrive.
