Recognising the early signs of autism can help families better understand a child’s communication, social interaction, behaviour and development. Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition, and signs can appear differently from one child to another.
Some children may show differences in how they communicate, respond to their name, use gestures, play with others, manage changes or respond to sensory experiences. However, individual signs do not necessarily mean that a child is autistic, and developmental differences can have many causes.
If you have concerns about your child’s development, speaking with your GP, paediatrician or another qualified health professional can help you decide whether further assessment or support may be appropriate.
Why is it called Autism ‘Spectrum’ Disorder?
The word “spectrum” reflects the wide variety of strengths, characteristics and support needs experienced by autistic people. Autism does not look the same in every person, and the way it affects communication, social interaction, behaviour, sensory processing and everyday participation can vary considerably.
Some autistic people may need relatively little support in certain areas, while others may require substantial support with communication, daily activities, learning or participation. A person’s support needs can also differ across environments and may change over time.
During an autism assessment, clinicians consider a person’s individual strengths, developmental profile and support needs rather than relying on one characteristic or behaviour alone.
What are the early signs of autism?
Early signs of autism can vary considerably between children. Some signs may relate to communication and social interaction, while others may involve play, behaviour, routines, movement or sensory experiences.
Signs that may be noticed in young children can include:
- using fewer gestures, such as pointing, waving or showing objects to others
- responding inconsistently to their name
- differences in eye contact or shared attention
- finding it difficult to shift attention between another person and an object or activity
- differences in how they imitate actions, sounds or play
- preferring repetitive or highly focused ways of playing
- repeating words or phrases, sometimes known as echolalia
- having strong preferences for particular routines, objects or activities
- repetitive movements, such as hand movements, rocking, spinning or jumping
- responding strongly or differently to sounds, textures, lights, smells or other sensory experiences
- differences or delays in speech, language or other areas of development.
A child does not need to show all of these characteristics to be autistic, and experiencing one or more of these differences does not necessarily mean that a child has autism.
If you notice differences in your child’s communication, interaction, play or development, discussing your concerns with a qualified health professional can help determine whether further assessment or support may be beneficial.
Understanding your child’s individual needs
Learning that your child may be showing signs of autism can raise many questions for families. Every child develops differently, and identifying areas where they may need support can help families make informed decisions about assessment, therapy and everyday participation.
Early support can focus on the areas that matter most to the child and family, such as communication, social interaction, play, independence, emotional regulation or participation at home, preschool and school.
The aim is not to change who a child is. Instead, appropriate support can help build skills, reduce barriers and create opportunities for the child to communicate, participate and flourish.
What should you do if you are concerned about your child’s development?
If you have concerns about your child’s communication, social interaction, play, behaviour or development, consider discussing them with your GP, child and family health nurse or paediatrician. They can review your child’s development and, where appropriate, refer you for further assessment.
A Speech Pathologist can assess areas such as speech, language, social communication, play and functional communication. An Occupational Therapist may also support children who experience difficulties with sensory processing, emotional regulation, fine motor skills, daily activities or participation.
Depending on your child’s needs, further assessment may involve a paediatrician, psychologist or other health professionals. Autism is diagnosed through a formal assessment process rather than from one sign or behaviour alone.
You do not need to wait for an autism diagnosis to seek support for concerns about your child’s communication or everyday participation. If you are unsure where to begin, our team can discuss your concerns and help you understand which type of assessment or support may be appropriate.
How can Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy help?
Speech Pathologists and Occupational Therapists can support autistic children and children with developmental differences in areas that affect everyday communication, learning and participation.
A Speech Pathologist may support:
- speech and language development
- understanding and using language
- social communication and interaction
- play and conversation skills
- functional communication
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), where appropriate.
An Occupational Therapist may support:
- sensory processing and regulation
- fine and gross motor skills
- emotional regulation
- independence with everyday activities
- participation in preschool, school and community environments.
Support should be individualised to the child’s strengths, needs and goals. At Innerlink Therapy, our Speech Pathologists and Occupational Therapists work with children and families to develop practical strategies that support communication, participation and everyday functioning.
Concerned about your child’s communication or development?
If you have concerns about your child’s communication, social interaction, play or everyday development, Innerlink Therapy can help you understand the next steps.
Our Speech Pathologists and Occupational Therapists support children and families with individualised assessment and therapy from our Belmore clinic, with school or preschool visits and telehealth available where appropriate.
Contact Innerlink Therapy to discuss your child’s needs, available services and suitable appointment options
Frequently asked questions about early signs of autism
What are some early signs of autism in children? Early signs can include differences in social communication, gestures, response to name, shared attention, play, routines, repetitive movements and sensory responses. Signs can vary considerably between children, and no single behaviour confirms that a child is autistic.
At what age can signs of autism appear? Features associated with autism can begin in infancy, although they may not become noticeable until around 18 months of age or later. Some children are identified much later, particularly when differences become more apparent as social and communication demands increase.
Does having one sign mean my child has autism? No. A child may show one or more characteristics associated with autism without being autistic. Developmental differences can have many causes, which is why concerns should be discussed with an appropriate health professional rather than relying on individual signs alone.
Who should I speak to if I am concerned about my child? A good starting point is your GP, child and family health nurse or paediatrician. They can review your child’s development and recommend further assessment if appropriate. Speech Pathologists and Occupational Therapists can also assess and support specific communication, sensory, motor and everyday participation needs.