When looking for signs of autism in children ages 18-24 months, it is completely normal to feel worried and unsure. Some signs of autism become easier to spot between 18 and 24 months, but every child develops differently. Catching developmental differences early helps you get simple support and therapies that can make a huge difference.
Remember, seeing one or two of these behaviors does not mean your child definitely has autism. This guide will walk you through what to look for in a simple, calm way.
What Are the Signs of Autism in Children Ages 18-24 Months?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental difference that changes how a child communicates, plays, and learns. Because autism is a spectrum, it looks different in every single child. One child might show a few signs, while another shows totally different ones.
A single behavior alone does not mean a child has autism. Doctors assess four main areas: social skills, communication, repetitive behaviors, and sensory reactions.
1. Limited Eye Contact and Social Engagement
Toddlers usually love sharing smiles and looking at parents to see how they react. A child showing early signs of autism may interact differently.
- Difficulty Maintaining Eye Contact: May look away too soon or not look at you when you speak directly to them.
- Playing Alone: They may choose not to play with other children and ignore them.
- Less Smiling: They may not smile back when you smile at them or respond to good news when they have achieved something.
- Not Sharing Interest: They may not look at you and share a cool toy or a plane in the sky.
2. Not Responding Consistently to Their Name
When you call your toddler from across the room, most will quickly turn around.
- Not Listening to Your Voice: Even when the child is standing right next to you, they may not listen.
- Ignoring Their Name: They may not hear you call their name, but they will immediately turn around when they hear the pet.
- Selective Hearing: They may not hear you call their name, but will turn around when they hear the TV.
- Checking Hearing First: Ear infections or fluid build-up can also make a child ignore sounds (Hearing First).
3. Delayed or Different Language Development
Language develops rapidly from 18 to 24 months, and there is no single “normal” age.
Many children use short 2-word phrases by the age of two, such as “more milk. There may be few or no words spoken if there is a delay.
- Not Using Words to Ask: They may grab your wrist and push your hand toward a cup rather than use sounds or words to ask for help.
- Repeating Sounds: They may repeat words or phrases from cartoons or sounds they heard before but not to communicate with you.
- Losing Words: A child no longer uses words, such as “mama” or “bye-bye,” that he or she had previously used.
4. Limited Gestures and Joint Attention
Help toddlers communicate before they can say anything by using gestures.
- Not Pointing: They won’t point at something just to show you something cool.
- Reduce Gestures: They may not shake their head “no,” blow a kiss, or give a high-five when prompted.
- Not Showing Objects: They don’t often bring playthings to put in your hands and show you.
- Not following your point: If you point at a dog across the yard, they may be looking at your finger rather than the dog.
5. Repetitive Movements and Behaviors
Autistic children tend to engage in repetitive movements as a way of coping with large emotions or to calm themselves down.
- Jumping and Bouncing: Repeatedly jumping up and down on the spot, especially when excited, sometimes for several minutes at a time.
- Toe Walking: Walking on the tips of their toes most of the time, sometimes along with foot obsession or an unusual focus on their feet.
- Shallow Reps: Sticking with the same rep motion.
- When It Matters: Happy toddlers flap their hands sometimes. Doctors only look closely when it happens constantly throughout the day.
6. Repetitive or Unusual Play
Toddlers learn through play, and children with the spectrum can play with toys in unusual ways.
- Lining Up Toys: Arranging cars or blocks in neat, long lines rather than driving or building with the toys.
- Spinning Parts: Spinning the top of a toy barn or repeatedly flipping a light switch on a toy dashboard, rather than playing out a scene.
- Rigid Play: To play out the same sequence of play without variation.
- Little Pretend Play: By age two, not showing an interest in pretending to feed a baby doll or drive the toy car.
7. Trouble with Routine Changes
Children with autism don’t like unexpected changes, while toddlers enjoy routine.
- Big Meltdowns Over Small Changes: Becomes extremely upset when driving a different route home or using a different dinner plate.
- Hard Transitions: Difficulty shifting from one activity to another, such as stopping play time to put on shoes, shoes on to play time, etc.
- Strict Order: Must have things done exactly the same way each and every day, no exceptions.
8. Unusual Sensory Responses
A child shows sensitivity to sights, sounds, or textures.
- Covering Ears: Blocking out the noise of things like a hand dryer in a public restroom, a fire alarm chirp, or a thunderstorm.
- Texture sensitivity: Cries when tags fall off clothes, seams in socks, or paint gets on hands.
- Picky Eating: Not eating foods because they feel or smell a certain way, but not because they taste bad.
- Seeking Movement: Desires for heavy hugging, spinning, or crashing into a couch to receive input on their body.
9. Loss of Previously Learned Skills
An important indicator to act on promptly is when a child loses a skill they previously possessed.
- Losing Words: Discontinuing their ability to say words, which they once knew well each day.
- Stopping gestures: Abandoning gestures they once used, such as waving or making eye contact.
- Withdrawing: Becoming quieter and avoiding family games that were once enjoyed.
- What to Do: If you see your child losing skills, contact your child’s pediatrician immediately.
What Should You Do If You Notice Signs of Autism?
If you see a few of these symptoms, you don’t have to worry. Here are a few steps you can take to get answers:
- Record what you observe: Make a small notebook of behaviors, when and how often they occur.
- Make short videos: Record behaviors with your phone at home to share with your doctor.
- Contact your child’s doctor: Make a special appointment to discuss your child’s development.
- Request a screening: Ask for an easy screening questionnaire called the M-CHAT.
- Obtain a hearing test: Your child should get his/her hearing evaluated by an audiologist to eliminate the possibility of undetected hearing loss.
- Get early help: Investigate early intervention service programs in your area. Basic speech and/or occupational therapy does not require an official diagnosis.
Can Autism Be Diagnosed Between 18 and 24 Months?
Yes, very experienced doctors can accurately diagnose toddlers with autism between 18 and 24 months of age.
Knowing the difference between screening and diagnosis is helpful:
- Screening: Brief form completed at the doctor’s office to determine whether your child should be looked at more closely.
- Full Evaluation: A more intensive evaluation performed by a specialist, such as a developmental pediatrician or child psychologist, who plays with and observes your toddler.
Getting checked early helps you understand how your child sees the world and gets them the right support sooner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a speech delay always mean autism?
No. Many kids have simple speech delays and catch up fine. Children with autism usually have delays in both talking and non-verbal communication, like eye contact and pointing.
Is hand flapping always a sign of autism?
No. Toddlers often flap their hands when they get super excited. It is usually only a concern if it happens all the time and comes with other social delays.
What is the difference between a speech delay and autism?
A child with just a speech delay will still point, wave, make eye contact, and pull your hand to show you what they want. A child with autism may struggle with both speech and these non-verbal actions.
What should I do if my toddler does not respond to their name?
First, have a doctor test their hearing to rule out ear problems. If they have no hearing problems, ask your pediatrician for a developmental screening.
Also Read: Signs of Autism in Children Ages 9-12 Months | Signs of Autism in Children Ages 12-18 Months
Conclusion
Noticing one or two isolated habits does not mean your child has autism. The key is to see how your child interacts socially, communicates, and plays over time.
Follow your gut and make proactive decisions early to give your toddler the best start. If you’re seeing signs or looking for guidance on your child’s development, New Dawn ABA is here to support your family with compassionate, personalized care. To find out what you can do next for your child, call our team for a consultation.
