Child Development and Signs of Autism
Developmental milestones are important throughout a child’s growth and development. They are helpful in identifying what are your child’s strengths and what are their challenges. They can also help you identify parts of your child’s development that may be attributed to autism. Below are a few examples of milestones – you can find a full list of developmental milestones on the CDC’s website here.
If you are concerned about your child not reaching developmental milestones or are concerned that they are showing signs of autism, reach out to your pediatrician.
By 6 months of age
- Knows familiar faces and begins
to know if someone is a stranger - Likes to look at self in mirror
- Responds to own name
- Babbles with “ah” “eh” “oh” sounds
- Looks around at things nearby
- Begins to sit without support
By 1 year of age
- Cries when their caregiver leaves
- Has favorite things or people
- Responds to simple spoken requests
- Tries to say words you say
- Explores things in different ways, like shaking, banging, throwing
- Pulls up to stand, walks holding on to furniture (cruising)
By 2 years of age
- Gets excited when with other children
- Shows more and more independence
- Says sentences with 2-4 words
- Names items in a picture book such as a cat, bird, or dog
- Follows 2 step instructions
- Begins to run
By 3 years of age
- Shows concern for crying friend
- Understands the idea of “mine” and “his” and “hers”
- Can name most familiar things
- Talks well enough for strangers to understand most of the time
- Plays make believe with dolls, animals, and people
- Walks up and down stairs, one foot on each step
By 4 years of age
- Enjoys doing new things
- Would rather play with other children than themselves
- Knows some basic rules of grammar, such as correctly using “he” and “she”
- Starts to understand time
- Remembers part of a story
- Hops and stands on one foot for up to 2 seconds
By 5 years of age
- Wants to be like friends
- Can tell what’s real and what’s make believe
- Tells a simple story using full sentences
- Counts 10 or more things
- Can print some letters or numbers
- Uses a fork and spoon and sometimes a table knife
Below are a few examples of signs and symptoms of autism – you can find an extensive list from the CDC here. It is important to note that some people without autism can also have these symptoms.
- Avoids or does not keep eye contact
- Does not respond to name by 9 months of age
- Uses few or no gestures by 12 months of age (e.g., does not wave goodbye)
- Shows little interest in peers
- Lines up toys or other objects and gets upset when order is changed
- Repeats words or phrases over and over
- Flaps hands, rocks body, or spins self in circles
- Has unusual reactions to the way things sound, smell, taste, look, or feel
- Delayed language skills
Naperville, IL 60540
contactus@turningpointeaf.org
630.570.7948
Turning Pointe Autism Foundation Foglia Family Adult Services is a Certified Autism Center by the IBCCES and the Adult Day Pilot is accredited by CARF.
Our organization does not discriminate in employment or the provision of educational services on the basis on race, color, religion, age, gender, national origin, disability, citizenship status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.
Naperville, IL 60540
contactus@turningpointaft.org
630.570.7948
Turning Pointe Autism Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
Turning Pointe Autism Foundation Foglia Family Adult Services is a Certified Autism Center by the IBCCES and the Adult Day Pilot is accredited by CARF.
Our organization does not discriminate in employment or the provision of educational services on the basis on race, color, religion, age, gender, national origin, disability, citizenship status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.
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