Possible Signs
Table of Contents
As parents, watching our children grow and develop is a part of daily life. If you have concerns that your child's development is not following typical patterns then you may want to take action to ensure that any potential delays are addressed. Following are some possible signs that additional assessment might be considered.
Birth to 36 months1
Red Flags for developmental delay and/or autistic spectrum disorders in children birth to 36 months
Certain noteworthy clinical signs, or red flags, exist that can help identify children at risk for developmental delay and/or autistic spectrum disorder within a routine office or other health facility visit. These indicators typically are tracked through routine developmental surveillance procedures, which should occur at all well-child visits.
- No babbling by 12 months of age
- No back and forth gestures such as pointing, showing, reaching or waving by 12 months of age
- No words by 16 months of age
- No two-word meaningful phrases (does not include imitation or repetition) by 24 months of age
- ANY loss of speech, babbling or social skills at ANY age
1Autistic Spectrum Disorders Best Practice Guidelines for Screening, Diagnosis and Assessment California Department of Developmental Services
Preschool Age
Additional indications for consideration of developmental evaluation/diagnostic assessment for children over the age of 36 months:
- lack of pretend play; lack of age-appropriate imaginative play with toys
- lack of pointing with a finger at things, including objects at a distance
- lack of social orienting/responsiveness: not looking at you/parent when you or parent talk to him/her or do things with him/her
- lack of joint attention: lack of integrated eye gaze (between the person and the object), vocalization, and gesture to direct other people's attention to show things or get help with something. any concern about the child's social or language development, particularly if the child has unusual interests or repetitive, stereotyped behaviors.
Older Children2
- social peculiarities or differences from most children; not fitting in
- inability to carry on a conversation with others
- lack of interest in other children
- lack of friends, seemingly because the child does not know what to do
- any concern about the child's social or language development, particularly if he/she also has unusual interests and/or repetitive, stereotyped behaviors.
2From the Utah Collaborative Medical Home Project Autism Spectrum Disorders Module 2008
Parent Recommended Starter Kit
Resources
Web
First Signs Video Glossary
- This web-based video glossary contains over 100 video clips to help parents and professionals learn more about the early signs and features of autistic spectrum disorders.
California Department of Developmental Services
- Reasons for Concern That Your Child or a Child in Your Care May Need Special Help - This brochure is designed to help alleviate or concern any concerns about a child's development
- Learn the Signs
WebMd Autism Spectrum Disorders Health Center
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Learn the Signs, Act Early provides information on developmental milestones, fact sheets and an interactive developmental checklist.
Print/Multimedia (books, videos and dvds) (download free acrobat reader)
- Could It Be Autism? A Parent's Guide to the First Signs and Next Steps (Wiseman, 2006)
- Autism? Aspergers? ADHD? ADD? A Parents Roadmap to Understanding and Support (Burns, 2005)
- Does My Child Have Autism? - A Parent's Guide to Early Detection and Intervention in Autism Spectrum Disorders (Stone, 2006)
- Autistic Spectrum Disorders Best Practice Guidelines for Screening, Diagnosis and Assessment (PDF) (DDHealthinfo.org, 2007 - 2009)
- Quick Reference Guide for Autistic Spectrum Disorders Best Practice Guidelines for Screening, Diagnosis and Assessment (PDF) (DDHealthinfo.org, 2007 - 2009)
Previous page: About This Project
Next page: Next Steps
This portion of the FRCNCA.org website has been developed by the Family Resource Network of California (FRCNCA), with funding provided by the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS). DDS, FRCNCA, and FRCNCA.org are not responsible for the content found at the aforementioned links, nor do the links imply endorsement or promotion of the company/organization, its content, services, therapeutic treatment options, or products. DDS, FRCNCA, and FRCNCA.org are also not responsible for the policies and practices of these sites, such as their Privacy Policy, use of cookies, etc. The user visits these site at their own risk. Our website provides links as information only. Information at this site is not intended as a substitute for medical/health care. This information is not to be taken as medical or other health advice pertaining to any specific health and medical condition. DDS and FRCNCA strongly encourage consumers to speak with their physicians/health care professionals about their particular health and developmental concerns. DDS and FRCNCA do not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on this site, sites mentioned on this site, and linked sites.