How to spot early signs of autism in toddlers? Learn about ASD symptoms: social interaction, speech delay, sensory issues, and stimming. A guide for parents.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A Complete Guide for Parents and Loved Ones
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a person perceives the world, processes information, and interacts with others.
Modern medicine and psychology are increasingly moving away from the term "disease," preferring the term "neurodivergence." This means that the brain of an autistic person functions differently than that of neurotypical people. It doesn't necessarily mean "worse"—it means "different."
The word "spectrum" is key. Autism manifests very differently: from individuals needing significant daily support and having co-occurring intellectual disabilities (about 30–40% of cases), to high-functioning individuals who may have outstanding abilities in science or art but experience difficulties in social communication.
Typically, the first symptoms become noticeable between 12 and 24 months of age, but sometimes a diagnosis is made much later—in school age or even in adults who have spent their lives trying to adapt ("masking").
Below is a detailed overview of the main areas where autism manifests and the "red flags" parents should look out for.
1. Social Interaction and Communication
This is perhaps the most well-known area of ASD manifestations. The problems here are not related to a lack of desire to communicate, but to a misunderstanding of intuitive social rules.
- Avoiding interaction and "living in their own world." unlike shy children who want to play but are afraid, a child with ASD may genuinely not feel the need for social interaction. They may ignore other children's attempts to include them in play, preferring solitude. They might perceive people as "objects" or tools to get what they want, rather than as communication partners.
- Specific eye contact. This is not always a complete lack of eye contact. Some children stare too intensely, others look "through" the person or focus on the speaker's lips. For many autistic people, direct eye contact causes physical discomfort or sensory overload, so they avoid it to focus on what is being said.
- No response to their name. This is one of the earliest signs. Parents often think the child has hearing problems because they don't react when called, yet instantly turn towards the sound of a favorite commercial or a candy wrapper crinkling. This is called selective attention.
- Literal interpretation of language. People with ASD often do not understand sarcasm, metaphors, subtext, or jokes. They might interpret the phrase "I'm dying of laughter" as a real threat to life.
2. Behavioral Patterns and Play
The way a child plays can reveal a lot about their neurodevelopment.
- Specific play and lack of imagination. Neurotypical children love role-playing games ("house," "doctor," "shop") where they imitate social relationships. A child with autism more often uses toys not for their intended purpose. For example, instead of "driving" a car, they might spin its wheel for hours or line up all the cars by color or size.
- Need for consistency and rituals. The world often seems chaotic and unpredictable to a child with autism. To calm down, they create strict rituals. This could be walking the same route, eating only from a specific plate, or watching the same cartoon hundreds of times. Any change, even a minor one (moving furniture, taking a different road), can cause severe hysteria (meltdown).
- Narrow special interests. The child may have an extremely deep, almost obsessive interest in a narrow topic: train schedules, dinosaurs, astronomy, vacuum cleaner brands, or fans. They can talk about it for hours without noticing that the listener is not interested.
3. Sensory Sensitivity (Sensory Integration)
This is a key but often overlooked sign. The brain of a person with ASD may incorrectly process signals from the senses.
- Hypersensitivity (over-sensitivity): Ordinary sounds (vacuum cleaner, blender, loud conversation) can cause physical pain. Bright light, certain smells, or textures (clothing tags, "scratchy" sweaters, seams on socks) can be unbearable and lead to breakdowns. This often causes selective eating (e.g., the child eats only pureed food or white-colored products).
- Hyposensitivity (under-sensitivity): The child may not feel cold, pain, or their body position in space. Such children often seek strong sensations: swinging hard on swings, bumping into walls, wanting to be squeezed tightly ("deep pressure"), or spinning around.
4. Stimming and Motor Features
What might be described as "tics" or "freezing" is more accurately called stimming (self-stimulation) in the context of autism.
- Repetitive movements. These can include hand flapping ("wings"), rocking the torso back and forth, finger snapping, or walking on tiptoes.
- Function of stimming. It is important to understand: the child does not do this without reason. It is a method of self-regulation. If the child is anxious, stimming calms them down. If they are bored or experiencing sensory hunger, stimming helps them "feel themselves" and stay alert. Forbidding stimming without providing an alternative is harmful, as it deprives the child of a stress-coping mechanism.
- Freezing (Shutdown). Sometimes a "shutdown" occurs. When sensory overload becomes too great, the child may simply "freeze," stop reacting to the world, and become immobile to conserve energy.
5. Speech Development
The spectrum here is very wide: from a complete lack of speech (non-verbal autism) to highly developed, "professorial" speech.
- Delay or regression. A concerning signal is when a child starts babbling and saying first words, but then, at the age of 1.5–2 years, suddenly goes silent and loses acquired skills.
- Echolalia. Instead of answering a question, the child repeats it. Adult: "Do you want a drink?" Child: "Do you want a drink." It can also be mindless repetition of phrases from cartoons out of context.
- Referring to oneself in the third person. Sometimes children with ASD refer to themselves by name ("Sasha wants an apple" instead of "I want an apple") for a very long time.
What to do if you notice these signs?
Having one or two symptoms does not necessarily mean autism. However, if you see a complex of signs:
- Don't panic. ASD is not a verdict, but a developmental characteristic. Early intervention yields incredible results.
- Take the M-CHAT test. This is a free screening test for toddlers available online. It helps determine the risk level.
- Consult specialists. A psychiatrist establishes the diagnosis, but you may also need consultations with a neurologist, psychologist, speech therapist, and special education teacher.
- Look for modern correction methods. Evidence-based methods (e.g., behavioral therapy, sensory integration, ESDM) help the child develop social skills and adapt to the world without "breaking" their personality.
- MriyaRun | Psych Journals, Workbooks & MAC Cards
- Tools & Resources
- Autism Symptoms (ASD) in Children: Complete Parent Guide