How do I know if my child needs evaluation?

If you notice delays in speech, social skills, behaviour, learning, motor skills, or if your child is not meeting age-appropriate milestones, an evaluation is recommended. Early assessment helps identify developmental needs and ensures timely intervention.

Do you provide therapy services to very young children?

Yes. Pranaah Child Development Centre provides early intervention and therapy services for infants and toddlers. Early support can significantly improve developmental outcomes.

What should I do if I do not know which therapy is most appropriate for my child?

A comprehensive assessment is the best way to determine which therapy your child needs. At Pranaah, specialists evaluate your child's strengths and developmental challenges and recommend the right intervention plan.

Assessment is a structured evaluation conducted by qualified professionals to understand a child's developmental, cognitive, behavioural, speech, and motor abilities. It helps identify concerns and guides the therapy plan.

How long does an assessment take?

Most assessments take 45–90 minutes depending on the child's age, cooperation, and the type of testing required. In some cases, multiple sessions may be needed.

What do I need to bring for the evaluation of my child?

Parents are advised to bring the child's medical history, previous reports, school feedback, birth details, and any relevant documents. This helps specialists make an accurate developmental profile.

Can I bring other children to the assessment session?

For best results, it is recommended to attend the session with only the child being assessed. A quiet, distraction-free environment helps the therapist conduct accurate evaluations.

Should both parents attend the assessment session?

Yes, if possible. Both parents attending helps provide complete background information and ensures that everyone clearly understands the findings and recommendations.

Do I get a report after assessment, and can I submit it to my child’s school?

Yes. After the assessment, a detailed report is provided. This report can be submitted to your child’s school, paediatrician, or other professionals for support and academic planning.

How long is the assessment report valid?

Reports are generally valid for 6–12 months depending on how quickly your child progresses. However, if there are major concerns or rapid developmental changes, an updated evaluation may be needed sooner.

Will the therapist discuss findings with parents after the assessment?

Yes. After the assessment, the therapist will explain the findings, discuss your child's strengths and needs, and recommend the best intervention or therapy plan.

Early Signs of Autism in Toddlers: A Parent’s Guide

Q: What are the earliest signs of autism in toddlers?

Early signs include lack of eye contact, no babbling by 12 months, no gestures like pointing or waving, delayed speech, not responding to name, repetitive behaviours, and limited interest in social interaction.

Q: Can a child show signs of autism at 1 year old?

Yes. Signs such as no babbling, weak eye contact, minimal gestures, and lack of interest in people or toys can appear as early as 12 months.

Q: Is speech delay the same as autism?

No. Speech delay alone does not mean autism. Autism involves challenges in social communication, interaction, play, and behaviour—not just speech.

Q: Does poor eye contact mean autism?

Poor eye contact can be a sign of autism, but it must be considered along with other behaviours such as delayed communication, lack of gestures, or repetitive actions.

Q: How is autism diagnosed in young children?

Autism diagnosis is done through behavioural evaluation, communication assessment, developmental history, and screening tools like M-CHAT or CARS by qualified professionals.

Q: What age should I seek help if I suspect autism?

Seek help immediately. Autism can be identified as early as 12–18 months. Early evaluation provides clarity and allows children to start intervention earlier.

Q: What therapies help toddlers with autism?

Effective therapies include speech therapy, occupational therapy, sensory integration, early intervention programs, and behaviour therapy (ABA-based methods).

Q: How can Pranaah support my child?

Pranaah offers autism screening, early intervention therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, behavioural support, and parent training with a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach.

Dr Devi Raj
11 hours ago
4 min read

Early Signs of Autism in Toddlers: A Parent’s Guide

By Pranaah Child Development Centre, Kollam

Every parent dreams of watching their child grow, smile, talk, and explore the world. But sometimes, development may follow a different pace. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects communication, social interaction, and behaviour. Early identification leads to better outcomes—and parents play the most important role in noticing early signs.

At Pranaah Child Development Centre, Kollam, parents often ask:

“How do I know if my toddler has autism?”
“What are the early signs I should watch for?”
“Is my child’s behaviour normal or a warning sign?”

This article will help you understand the early indicators of autism, what is typical, what is not, and when to seek professional help.

⭐ What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?

Autism is a developmental condition that affects:

Social communication
Language development
Behaviour patterns
Sensory processing

Each child with autism is unique—some show signs early, while others develop typically and then regress later.

Early identification and early intervention therapy significantly improve communication, learning, and social skills.

🚼 Early Signs of Autism in Toddlers (Age 1–3 Years)

Below are the most common red flags based on behaviour, communication, social interaction, and sensory responses.

1️⃣ Communication Delays

Signs to watch for:

No babbling by 12 months
Limited use of gestures (pointing, waving, showing objects)
Few or no meaningful words by 18 months
Loss of previously spoken words
Does not imitate sounds or gestures
Difficulty expressing needs
Prefers pulling your hand to communicate rather than using words or gestures

2️⃣ Limited Eye Contact & Social Interaction

Signs to watch for:

Minimal eye contact
Does not look when their name is called
Prefers to play alone
Does not share interests (e.g., showing toys, pointing at things)
Does not respond to smiles or facial expressions
Rarely seeks comfort or cuddles

3️⃣ Repetitive Behaviours (Stimming)

Common repetitive behaviours:

Hand flapping
Rocking
Spinning objects
Repeatedly opening and closing doors
Lining up toys in specific patterns
Obsessively watching wheels or moving objects

These behaviours can be soothing for some children but may indicate sensory or developmental differences.

4️⃣ Unusual Sensory Responses

Toddlers with autism may be over-sensitive or under-sensitive to sensory input.

Examples:

Covering ears to soft sounds
Fascination with lights, fans, spinning objects
Strong reactions to certain textures, foods, or clothing
Not noticing pain or cold
Smelling or licking objects frequently

5️⃣ Play & Imagination Differences

Possible signs:

Lack of pretend play (feeding dolls, acting as doctor, etc.)
Plays in repetitive ways (lining up toys instead of playing with them)
Little interest in other children
Difficulty understanding turn-taking

6️⃣ Regression of Skills

Some children develop normally and then lose skills around 18–24 months.

Warning signs:

Stopped saying words they used to say
Became less social
Reduced eye contact or response

Regression is a strong indicator to seek expert assessment immediately.

⭐ What’s Normal vs. What’s Concerning?

Normal behaviour:

Occasional tantrums
Being shy with strangers
Playing alone sometimes
Slow speech without other social difficulties

Concerning behaviour:

No response to name consistently
No meaningful interaction
Lack of gestures
No improvement in communication over time
Strong repetitive behaviours

If you notice multiple red flags, early evaluation is recommended.

🧠 Why Early Detection Matters

Early diagnosis allows timely access to services such as:

Early Intervention Therapy
Behaviour Therapy
Speech Therapy
Occupational Therapy (Sensory Integration)
Social Skills Training

At Pranaah Holistic Health Care (Kollam), early intervention programs are customised to your child’s developmental needs, improving communication, learning, and independence.

🏥 How Pranaah Child Development Centre Helps

Our multi-disciplinary team provides:

✔ Autism Screening & Assessment✔ Speech-Language Therapy✔ Occupational Therapy (Sensory Integration)✔ Early Intervention Programs✔ Behaviour Therapy (ABA-based techniques)✔ Special Education Support✔ Parent Training & Home Programs

We use a child-friendly, evidence-based approach designed to support every child's unique developmental path.

At Pranaah Holistic Health Care (Kollam), early intervention programs are customised to your child’s developmental needs, improving communication, learning, and independence. — At **Pranaah Holistic Health Care (Kollam)**, early intervention programs are customised to your child’s developmental needs, improving communication, learning, and independence.

📞 Concerned About Your Toddler’s Development?

You don’t have to wait. Early evaluation provides clarity, confidence, and direction.

Pranaah Child Development Centre – Kollam, Kerala. Helping children grow, learn, and thrive with holistic care.

❓ FAQ: Early Signs of Autism in Toddlers

1. What are the earliest signs of autism in toddlers?

Lack of eye contact, limited gestures (no pointing or waving), no babbling by 12 months, delayed speech, not responding to their name, and repetitive behaviours are common early signs.

2. Can a child show signs of autism at 1 year old?

Yes. Signs such as no babbling, poor eye contact, minimal gestures, and not showing interest in people or toys can appear as early as 12 months.

3. Is speech delay the same as autism?

Not always. Some children have isolated speech delay without other social or behavioural difficulties. Autism involves challenges in social communication, interaction, and behaviour, not only speech.

4. Does poor eye contact mean autism?

Poor eye contact is a common sign but not the only one. If paired with delayed communication or repetitive behaviours, it may indicate autism.

5. Do toddlers with autism play normally?

Many toddlers with autism show differences in play, such as limited pretend play, repetitive play, or focusing on parts of toys (e.g., wheels) instead of the whole.

6. How is autism diagnosed in young children?

A specialist team evaluates the child's behaviour, communication, social skills, sensory responses, and developmental history. Standard assessments such as M-CHAT, CARS, and DSM-5 criteria may be used.

7. Can autism be treated?

Autism is a lifelong neurological difference, not a disease. However, early therapy significantly improves communication, behaviour, learning, and independence.

8. What age should I seek help if I suspect autism?

Immediately. You do not need to wait until age 3. Children as young as 12–18 months can be assessed and start early intervention.

9. What therapies help toddlers with autism?

Speech therapy, occupational therapy (sensory integration), early intervention therapy, and behaviour therapy (ABA-based approaches) are effective at improving developmental skills.

10. How can Pranaah support my child?

Pranaah offers autism screening, early intervention, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and parent training by an experienced multidisciplinary team in Kollam.