Early Signs

Autism usually manifests in the first year of life; its onset is not later than 3 years. Listed below are some of the things to watch for as a child grows. These developmental landmarks may be used as a guide to gauge a child's development. If there are any concerns about a child's development or if there is a loss of any skills at any age talk to a doctor as soon as possible.

Expected developmental milestones	Speak to your doctor if:
By end of 12 months	By end of 12 months
• Watches faces intently, responds to other people's expressions of emotion	• Does not pay attention to or frightened of new faces
• Smiles, imitates some facial expressions, follows moving object with eyes	• Does not smile, does not follow moving object with eyes
• Begins to babble, imitates sounds and words, brings hand to mouth	• Does not babble, laugh and has difficulty bringing objects to the mouth
• Has single words like "dada", repeats sounds or gestures for attention	• Has no words
• Turns head toward direction of sound, responds to own name	• Does not turn head to locate sounds and appears not to respond to loud noises
• Pushes down on legs when feet placed on a firm surface; raises head and chest when lying on stomach	• Does not push down on legs when feet placed on a firm surface
• Smiles at mother or primary care-givers voice, prefers them over all others	• Does not show affection to primary care-giver, dislikes being cuddled
• Can sit up without assistance, can pull self up to stand, walks holding on to furniture	• Does not crawl, cannot stand when supported
• Waves 'bye-bye' and points to objects	• Does not use gestures such as waving or pointing
By 24 months	By 24 months
• Walks alone, with support can negotiate stairs and furniture, carries and pulls toys while walking	• Cannot walk by 18 months or walks only on his toes, cannot push a wheeled toy
• Has several single words by 15 to 18 months; uses simple phrases by 24 months	• Does not speak; does not imitate actions, cannot follow simple instructions
• Imitates behaviour of others, excited about company of other children	• Does not appear to know the function of common household object such as a telephone by 15 months
By 36 months	By 36 months
• Uses 4-5 word sentences, understands most sentences and instructions	• Very limited speech, does not use short phrases, has difficulty in understanding simple instructions
• Imitates adults and playmates, expresses affection openly, separates easily from parents	• Has little interest in other children, has difficulty separating from mother or primary care-giver
• Sorts objects by shape and colour	• Difficulty in manipulating small objects
• Plays make believe	• Has little interest in 'make-believe' play
• Climbs well, runs, kicks a ball, negotiates stairs unaided	• Frequently falls, has difficulty with stairs

Many of the danger signs are the very ones that often trouble parents months or years before a child is formally diagnosed with a developmental delay disorder. They are the very things a parent worries about when a baby seems distant or unresponsive, an eighteen-month-old is not talking, or a three-year-old is not playing with other children"

Nancy Wiseman. Could It Be Autism? A Parent's Guide to the First Signs and Next Steps. Westminster, MD, USA: Broadway Books, 2006.

If you have concerns about your child's development you can also read the following booklet, "Childhood development - The Early Warning Signs" which outlines some of the major childhood developmental problems and offers practical advice on different treatment options.  The booklet was prepared by Autism Awareness with the assistance of Professor Kerryn Phelps and made possible through a generous grant from The Shane Warne foundation.

Information in the above synopsis of developmental landmarks was compiled from:

The Center for Disease control and Prevention's - "Learn the Signs. Act Early" Campaign:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/ActEarly/

First Signs. "Red flags" which may indicate your child's development may need to be evaluated by a paediatrician or other health care professional.
http://www.firstsigns.org/concerns/flags.htm

First Signs. "Healthy Developmental Milestones" Is our baby meeting these important milestones?
http://www.firstsigns.org/healthydev/milestones.htm

Autism Speaks. "Learn the Signs"
http://www.autismspeaks.org/whatisit/learnsigns.php and video glossary of autism signs and symptoms http://www.autismspeaks.org/video/glossary.php