Key Notes
- It is hard to identify signs of autism at such an early stage
- Toddlers (age 2) with autism exhibit unusual behavior
- It is important to get the right treatment for them from an early age
The signs of autism in toddlers age 2 are not always easy to spot.
Autism is a developmental disorder that affects the way a person communicates and interacts with other people, but it can also affect their behavior and movements.
There is no one sign that will tell you if your child has autism, but there are many symptoms you should be aware of. In this blog post we will discuss 10 warning signs that may indicate an autistic toddler:
1) They Don’t Smile That Much
Toddlers that have autism will often smile less than other children of their age. They might also not react to the smiles and laughter of others, which is a sign they don’t understand what it means.
2) They Don’t Respond To Their Name Being Called
When your toddler doesn’t respond when you call them by name or shout for them from another room, this may be an indication that something isn’t right with their hearing.
It can sometimes happen even if there was no problem with their ears at birth; however, it does tend to affect boys more due to the way that autism affects different genders differently (this is true in most cases).
3) Their Eye Contact Is Poor or Nonexistent
If your child avoids making eye contact with people or never looks at you when they are talking to them, this is a sign that something may be wrong.
Toddlers should gaze into your eyes while they are talking and showing interest in what you have to say; however children who suffer from autism often find it difficult to do so.
4) They Do Not Point at Objects That They Want
If your toddler does not point out things (like toys, food etc.) that they want with their index finger but instead uses other body parts like the chin or head, then there might be an issue here.
This can sometimes happen if toddlers don’t understand how pointing works because of problems understanding different gestures, which is common among autistic kids
5) Their Speech Is Delayed and/or They Don’t Speak At All
If your child doesn’t speak by the age of two or their speech is delayed, this may be a sign that they are autistic.
The idea here is that children who suffer from autism have difficulty with communication and language skills because it’s hard for them to use different gestures in order to make themselves understood.
They also find it difficult to understand social cues like facial expressions which makes verbal communication even harder for them at times
6) They Do Not Play With Other Children or Share Experiences with Them
Toddlers should enjoy playing with other kids; however if you notice yours avoids doing so then there might be something wrong.
It can happen due to sensory problems (which autistic toddlers often face), but sometimes these issues can be overcome with early intervention.
They may also not share experiences or play games like peek-a-boo because they do not understand the concept of sharing and playing socially yet
7) They Do Not Respond To Familiar People or Things (Like Toys, Food)
If your toddler does not react to things that you would expect them to know; such as toys, food etc., then there might be something wrong.
This is a sign that autistic children often experience because it takes some time for their brains to process familiar stimuli due to repetitive behaviors which many kids with autism display
8) Their Eating Habits Are Odd and/or Unusual For Their Age
Toddlers should start eating solid foods around six months old and enjoy doing so by eight months; however if yours does not it may be due to autism.
Many autistic children avoid eating because they do not understand the concept of food or how to eat properly (which is why you should always introduce new foods slowly).
They might also find it difficult to swallow, which can cause choking accidents if they are left unsupervised
9) Their Sleeping Habits Are Odd and/or Unusual For Their Age
Toddlers that have trouble sleeping at night and show signs of insomnia could be autistic.
This happens because their brains take longer than usual for them to wind down so sleep becomes an issue over time. Its best you consult your doctor in this case as there are medications available which can help with chronic sleeplessness.
10) They React To Changes in Their Surroundings or Schedule with Intense Anxiety
If your child becomes extremely anxious when changes are made to their schedule, this is a sign that something may be wrong.
Autistic children often have difficulty with change because they live in an orderly world where different things happen at the same time each day; therefore making any adjustments can take some getting used too.
11) Their Motor Skills Are Not Developed As Soon As They Should Be
If you notice that your toddler’s motor skills are not developed for their age or seem slower than normal, then there might be an issue here.
This happens due to problems related to repetitive behaviors and sensory issues which autistic toddlers face, but it should improve over time if is sought out early
12) They Are Very Picky About the Things They Eat and/or Drink
Toddlers should develop a healthy interest in food and enjoy eating different things at this stage; however if yours is not this way it may be due to autism.
There are some signs that you can look for here, such as being very picky about what they eat or drink (monotone foods) which many autistic children experience because of the sensory issues.
13) Carry Around Objects for Extended Periods of Time
Toddlers should start showing interest in objects around six months old and let go of them when they are told to do so, but if yours does not then it may be due to autism.
Autistic toddlers often have sensory issues that cause anxiety which makes letting go of objects difficult for them at times.
