Learn the Signs

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

Expected developmental milestones

Speak to your doctor if:

By end of 12 months

Watches faces intently, responds to other people's expressions of emotion.

Smiles, imitates some facial expressions, follows moving object with eyes

Begins to babble, imitates sounds and words, brings hand to mouth

Has single words like "dada", repeats sounds or gestures for attention

Turns head toward direction of sound, responds to own name

Pushes down on legs when feet placed on a firm surface; raises head and chest when lying on stomach

Smiles at mother or primary care-givers voice, prefers them over all others

Can sit up without assistance, can pull self up to stand, walks holding on to furniture

Waves 'bye-bye' and points to objects

By end of 12 months

Does not pay attention to or frightened of new faces

Does not smile, does not follow moving object with eyes

Does not babble, laugh and has difficulty bringing objects to the mouth

Has no words

Does not turn head to locate sounds and appears not to respond to loud noises

Does not push down on legs when feet placed on a firm surface

Does not show affection to primary care-giver, dislikes being cuddled

Does not crawl, cannot stand when supported

Does not use gestures such as waving or pointing

By 24 months

Walks alone, with support can negotiate stairs and furniture, carries and pulls toys while walking

Has several single words by 15 to 18 months; uses simple phrases by 24 months

Imitates behaviour of others, excited about company of other children

By 24 months

Cannot walk by 18 months or walks only on his toes, cannot push a wheeled toy

Does not speak; does not imitate actions, cannot follow simple instructions

Does not appear to know the function of common household object such as a telephone by 15 months

By 36 months

Uses 4-5 word sentences, understands most sentences and instructions

Imitates adults and playmates, expresses affection openly, separates easily from parents

Sorts objects by shape and colour

Plays make believe

Climbs well, runs, kicks a ball, negotiates stairs unaided

By 36 months

Very limited speech, does not use short phrases, has difficulty in understanding simple instructions

Has little interest in other children, has difficulty separating from mother or primary care-giver

Difficulty in manipulating small objects

Has little interest in 'make-believe' play

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.

Information for this 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/

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/ActEarly/milestones_1year.html

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/ActEarly/milestones_2years.html

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/ActEarly/milestones_3years.html

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/ActEarly/milestones_4years.html

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/ActEarly/milestones_5years.html

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