What Are Common Signs of Autism in Toddlers?
Toddlers with autism often appear to develop normally until they are between 12-24 months old. In retrospect, however, many caretakers of autistic children report that some subtle signs of autism were present even in infancy. Generally, autism in toddlers will show signs of delays in communication and social skills as well as behavior and sensory issues; the degree of severity, from mild to severe, varies. For example, between 12-24 months, toddlers may stop talking or interacting with others. Self-stimulatory, repetitive behaviors, delayed play skills, and hyper- or hypo- sensitivity to sensory input are other signs. Toddlers may also have sleep issues and unpredictable behavior, including aggression, as well as an overall lack of curiosity.
