Key Points:
- Recognising subtle communication and social-interaction delays helps parents catch autism risk earlier.
- Identifying repetitive behaviours, sensory sensitivities and strict routines can guide proactive support.
- Early observation and appropriate action improve chances of meaningful intervention and better outcomes.
Watching a young child grow is one of life’s most rewarding experiences for a parent, but it also comes with worries. When children take unexpected paths in their social responses, communication, or behaviour, it can raise questions.
This article is designed for parents of toddlers who are looking to understand possible early warning signs of autism. It offers clear indicators to monitor, practical guidance on what to do if you notice them, and how you can support your child by seeking help sooner rather than later.
1. Social-Interaction Differences
Understanding how the toddler interacts helps highlight early concerns in social behaviour.
Poor or limited eye contact, or not responding to name
Many toddlers begin to make eye contact, smile when smiled at, or turn when their name is called. A lack of these behaviours can be a red flag. For example, a toddler might not look when you call their name, avoid looking you in the eye during simple play, or shy away from social engagement.
Rarely sharing interest, showing or pointing
Typically developing toddlers will point to show you something interesting, they might wave at a plane, or hold up a toy and look back at you. When a toddler does not point, rarely shows things to others, or doesn’t turn to you to share their excitement, it suggests possible delay in “joint attention” skills.
Limited imitation of gestures or play with others
Toddlers often copy simple actions, clap hands, wave bye-bye, or mimic giving a toy to a bear. A child who rarely imitates these, who shows little interest in others’ play or doesn’t seek to join other children may warrant closer observation.
2. Communication and Language Delays
Monitoring speech, gestures and back-and-forth communication reveals key signals.
Few or no babbles, words or gestures by key ages
By the age of around 12 months, many toddlers begin babbling, using gestures like waving or pointing, and by 16 to 18 months are starting to speak single words. If a toddler shows very limited babbling, rare gestures, or little verbal communication, it may be a sign to act.
Lack of two-word phrases by 24 months
Around 2 years of age most children begin combining words (“mama’s car”, “more juice”). A toddler who is not using meaningful two-word phrases at 24 months could be showing one of the early signs of autism.
Regression or losing previously-acquired skills
In some cases, a toddler may have been using words or gestures, then stop doing so, or may lose eye contact or social gestures. This regression is a significant warning sign that should prompt evaluation.
3. Repetitive Behaviours and Insistence on Sameness
Unusual patterns of behaviour, movements or routines often characterise early autism signs.
Repetitive movements or body gestures
Toddlers at risk may flap their hands, rock back and forth, spin objects, or walk on their toes repeatedly. Such behaviours may serve as self-soothing, but when they dominate play or interaction they are an important signal.
Lining up toys, fixations on parts of objects
Rather than playing in a typical way, a toddler might arrange toys in a rigid order, focus intensely on spinning wheels, or treat parts of objects rather than use them as intended. This level of obsessive focus or unusual pattern of object use can hint at autism.
Severe upset with changes to routines
Many children prefer patterns, but a toddler who becomes very distressed by minor changes, new route to child-care, different bowl for lunch, unexpected visitor, and cannot transition easily may be showing an early warning pattern.
4. Sensory Sensitivities and Unusual Responses
Toddlers may show heightened or reduced sensitivity to sensory input which differentiates them from typical development.
Over- or under-reaction to sounds, textures, tastes or lights
Examples include covering ears at everyday levels of noise, refusing foods of certain textures, being distressed by labels in clothing, or enjoying continuous unusual sensory stimulation (for example rubbing surfaces). These reactions may be more extreme than typical toddlers.
Preference for particular textures or parts of play objects
A toddler may focus intensely on a toy’s wheel rather than play with the toy as a whole, or insist on touching a particular fabric repeatedly. Such strong interest in sensory qualities rather than the object function is a warning sign.
Lack of expected sensory reactions
Contrary to hypersensitivity, some toddlers show limited reaction to pain, cold or heat, or fail to respond to usual stimuli. This reduced reactivity combined with other signs may signify autism.
5. Difficulty with Play and Social Imagination
Play is a window into development. Differences in play can highlight early risk signals.
Little pretend or imitative play
By around age two many toddlers start to imitate actions (feeding a doll, driving a toy car). A child who rarely or never engages in imaginative or pretend play may be showing one of the early signs of autism.
Preference to play alone or alongside others without engagement
It is normal for toddlers to play alongside peers, but starting to engage with them socially. A toddler who prefers to be on their own, avoids social games, or shows little interest in joining other children’s play may need closer attention.
Difficulty understanding non-verbal cues or social roles
Simple social games like peek-a-boo or giving a toy to a parent may be delayed if a toddler struggles to interpret facial expressions, share enjoyment, or understand giving and taking interactions.
6. Organisational and Motor Patterns
Subtle motor or structural differences may appear early in how the toddler uses objects or moves.
Unusual posture, gait or movement patterns
Some toddlers show toe-walking, stiff legs, odd arm postures, or lack of coordinated motor responses. While such signs alone are not diagnostic, combined with other warning signals they matter.
Limited or repetitive use of toys rather than varied exploration
Instead of a broad exploration of objects, a toddler may use only one function of a toy repeatedly: spinning a wheel, tapping surfaces, or repeatedly opening and closing a door. Over time this narrow behaviour pattern stands out.
Difficulty with transitions or motor changes
Moving from one activity to another may cause distress. A toddler who struggles with changing seating, shifting from playtime to mealtime, or adapting to a new environment consistently may be showing early signs. This ties to both behavioural rigidity and motor-change intolerance.
7. Delayed or Atypical Speech Patterns
Speech may not only be delayed but also unusual in tone, volume or content.
Monotone voice or unusual pitch and intonation
While many toddlers babble and experiment with tone, a toddler who babbles but does so in a flat, monotone manner, or uses repetitive non-meaningful sounds rather than interactional babble may signal risk.
Echolalia or repeating phrases without meaning
A child might repeat words or phrases that they hear without context or appropriate use, a behaviour known as echolalia. This pattern is more common in children on the autism spectrum.
Delayed speech combined with limited gestures
A toddler may neither gesture nor speak, or may speak fewer words than expected for their age. This gap between expectations and observed speech/gesture development highlights the need for evaluation.
8. Limited Response to Social or Emotional Cues
Emotional and social reciprocity may be weaker, affecting how toddlers communicate needs or notice others.
Rarely smiling back when smiled at or showing limited joyful expressions
Toddlers typically respond with smiles or giggles when engaged socially. If this response is rare or absent, it may indicate a developmental concern.
Difficulty showing or sharing enjoyment or interest with others
Young children often point out something exciting and look back at a parent to share the moment. A toddler who does not do this may be missing a critical social-communication milestone.
Limited interest in other people’s feelings or views
While full understanding of others’ emotions comes later, toddlers commonly respond to others’ distress or excitement in some way. A toddler who consistently seems unaware of or uninterested in peers’ or adults’ emotional states may need further look.
9. Persistent Narrow Interests or Fixations
A toddler may show unusually intense interest in specific objects or topics, often at the expense of broader play.
Intense interest in specific object types or parts
Examples include a toddler who becomes obsessed with owning or spinning every wheel of a toy car rather than driving it, or who touches only the door-knob in a dollhouse rather than play with the house. Such fixation is a sign.
Playing with objects in only one manner without variation
Children normally experiment: cars may become rockets, blocks may build towers. A toddler who always uses a toy one way, repeats that same play scenario, and resists variation may exhibit early autism signs.
Strong resistance when diverted from the preferred interest
If the child gets upset when the focus object is removed, or when asked to switch to a different activity, the rigidity surrounding the interest may point to deeper issues. This is more than mere preference, it’s an insistence.
10. Difficulty Regulating Emotions and Behaviour
Emotional regulation challenges may appear as frequent outbursts or difficulty adapting to changing circumstances.
Intense emotional reactions to minor triggers
Toddlers on the spectrum may experience strong emotional responses to small frustrations, such as toys being moved or sounds changing. These reactions can appear as crying, tantrums, or complete withdrawal.
Trouble calming down or shifting attention
When upset, some toddlers have difficulty returning to calm or transitioning to another activity. They might remain distressed long after the trigger has passed or struggle to redirect focus.
Limited use of comfort-seeking behaviours
Most toddlers look to parents or caregivers for comfort when upset. A toddler showing little effort to be soothed or not reaching out for reassurance may demonstrate early signs of autism-related emotional regulation challenges.
Recognizing Early Signs of Autism in Toddlers
Spotting the early warning signs of autism in toddlers can lead to faster intervention—and better long-term outcomes. Whether it’s limited eye contact, delayed speech, or repetitive behaviors, early identification allows families to begin meaningful support during critical developmental years. ABA therapy provides proven strategies to encourage communication, play, and social engagement, helping toddlers connect more confidently with their world.
At Spirit ABA, we partner with families in Iowa, Nebraska, and Colorado to provide compassionate, play-based therapy that promotes learning and growth from the start. Our team guides parents every step of the way, turning small milestones into lasting progress. If you’ve noticed early signs of autism in your child, don’t wait, early support can make all the difference. Contact Spirit ABA today to learn how our early intervention ABA services can help your toddler build a bright foundation for the future.
