What are the early signs of autism in infants?

Early signs can include limited eye contact, delayed babbling, lack of response to their name, repetitive movements, and reduced social engagement. Loss of previously learned skills may also signal concern.

At what age should I get my child evaluated for autism?

Autism can often be reliably diagnosed by 18–24 months, though concerns can be raised earlier. If you notice developmental delays or regression, talk with your pediatrician right away.

Why is early intervention important for infants with autism?

Early intervention can significantly improve communication, social interaction, and learning. Evidence-based therapies like ABA are most effective when started early, giving children the best chance to build lifelong skills.

Key Autism Symptoms in Infants | Achieve Behavioral Therapy

Recognize Early Communication Signs

Many infants on the autism spectrum show delays in vocalization or nonverbal gestures by six to 12 months. Healthcare providers can perceive developmental concerns before age three, but families often miss subtle cues. Key communication signs include limited babbling, delayed speech, and reduced use of gestures.

Limited Babbling And Gestures

Infants may produce fewer coos or babbles by nine months.
Gestures such as pointing, waving, or showing objects often remain absent or minimal.
Lack of joint attention, like no pointing to share interest, can signal a red flag.

Delayed Speech Development

Many children later diagnosed with ASD speak their first words well after 12 months.
Echolalia (repeating words or phrases) may appear instead of spontaneous speech.
Consistent one-word utterances typically expected by 15 months may be missing.

Observe Social Interaction Patterns

Social communication differences tend to emerge early. Infants on the autism spectrum often avoid eye contact, show limited response to their name, and display fewer social smiles.

Avoidance Of Eye Contact

Poor eye gaze toward caregivers by six to nine months may indicate atypical social attention.
Infants might prefer objects over faces when engaged in play.

Reduced Response To Name

Lack of consistent response when called by name can appear by 12 months.
Caregivers may notice the child does not seem to register auditory cues.

Limited Social Smiles

Social smiling or an infant’s smile in reaction to a caregiver typically develops by two to three months.
A persistent absence of engaging smiles may warrant further evaluation.

Monitor Repetitive And Restrictive Behaviors

Repetitive movements and intense fixations often begin in the first two years of life. Tracking these patterns helps differentiate typical exploration from ASD-related behaviors.

Repetitive Movements

Hand flapping, rocking, or whole-body spinning may emerge between 12 and 24 months.
These motions can intensify under stress or excitement.

Fixation On Objects

Excessive interest in specific items such as wheels or lights is common.
The child may focus on one feature of a toy, ignoring its intended use.

Track Regression In Skills

Some infants show typical development followed by a loss of skills between 15 and 24 months. This regression often affects language, play, and social engagement.

Loss Of Speech Or Play Skills

A child may lose words previously acquired or revert to babbling only.
Pretend play scenarios, like feeding a doll, can disappear.

Social Withdrawal

An infant who once enjoyed peek-a-boo or interactive games may disengage.
Regression in shared smiles and gestures often coincides with reduced social interest.

Note Biological And Sensorimotor Indicators

Recent research suggests that subtle biological markers and sensorimotor signs may precede behavioral symptoms. While still under study, awareness of these factors can prompt earlier conversations with professionals.

Atypical Sensory Responses

Over-sensitivity to sounds, textures, or lights can appear by nine months.
Under-responsiveness may also occur, such as limited reaction to pain or extreme temperatures.

Early Biological Signs

Studies have explored head growth trajectories and brain connectivity differences in infants later diagnosed with ASD.
These findings remain preliminary but underline the importance of developmental surveillance.

Differentiate Gender-Based Variations

Autism symptoms often manifest differently in girls and boys, leading to under-recognition in female infants and toddlers.

Autism Symptoms In Girls

Girls may imitate social behaviors, masking early communication challenges.
Subtler repetitive behaviors like insistence on sameness in routines can go unnoticed.

Autism Symptoms In Boys

Boys tend to exhibit more obvious repetitive movements and fixated play.
Early speech delays and limited gestures often prompt evaluation sooner.

Understand The Importance Of Early Detection

Identifying autism symptoms in infants before age two supports access to therapies that can improve language, social skills, and adaptive behavior.

Benefits Of Early Intervention

Interventions initiated by 24 months yield greater gains in communication and social interaction.
Family involvement in therapy provides continuity of learning at home and in school settings.

Recommended Age For Assessment

Formal screening is advised at 18 and 24 months during well-child visits.
If concerns arise earlier, a referral to a developmental pediatrician or psychologist is appropriate.

Seek Professional Guidance And Tools

When signs suggest autism, parents and caregivers should seek advice from qualified professionals. Several screening apps and checklists can supplement clinical evaluation.

Screening And Assessment Tools

The ASDetect app offers video examples of early characteristics to help families gauge potential concerns.
Standardized tools such as the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers Revised with Follow-Up (M-CHAT-R/F) guide pediatricians through a structured questionnaire.

Consulting Healthcare Providers

General practitioners, nurses, and speech-language therapists can initiate a referral for a comprehensive autism assessment.
Early consultation ensures access to support services, developmental therapy, and educational planning.

Conclusion

Monitoring autism symptoms in infants demands careful attention to communication, social engagement, repetitive behaviors, and any loss of skills. While typical development varies, persistent delays or regressions by 18 months should prompt professional evaluation. Early detection opens the door to interventions that help children reach their full potential. Families noticing any warning signs need not wait for a formal screening timeline; they can discuss observations with healthcare providers at any stage. Sharing concerns early supports a proactive path toward assessment, therapy, and community resources that foster growth and well-being.

At Achieve Behavioral Therapy, we know how important it is to recognize early signs of autism and start early intervention programs. Serving hundreds of families, our team provides comprehensive assessments, parent training, and personalized ABA therapy across New Jersey and North Carolina to help children reach critical milestones.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward supporting your child’s growth and independence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the early signs of autism in infants?
Early signs can include limited eye contact, delayed babbling, lack of response to their name, repetitive movements, and reduced social engagement. Loss of previously learned skills may also signal concern.
At what age should I get my child evaluated for autism?
Autism can often be reliably diagnosed by 18–24 months, though concerns can be raised earlier. If you notice developmental delays or regression, talk with your pediatrician right away.
Why is early intervention important for infants with autism?
Early intervention can significantly improve communication, social interaction, and learning. Evidence-based therapies like ABA are most effective when started early, giving children the best chance to build lifelong skills.

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Exploring Tylenol and Autism: Recent Findings Explained

October 5, 2025

Tylenol, the brand name for acetaminophen, is a staple in medicine cabinets everywhere. For decades, it has been the go-to remedy for pain and fever, especially for pregnant women and children. Recently, however, a growing body of research has sparked a public health conversation about the safety of acetaminophen use during pregnancy. Studies are exploring a possible connection to the rising rates of autism spectrum disorders. This article will break down the latest findings, explain what experts are saying, and help you understand this complex topic. Understanding Tylenol (Acetaminophen) and Its Widespread Use Acetaminophen is the active ingredient in Tylenol and many other over-the-counter medications designed to counter pain and reduce fever. Known as paracetamol in many countries, it is one of the most widely used drugs in the United States and globally. Its mechanism for relieving pain involves complex pathways in the brain. Because of its effectiveness and availability without a prescription, proper drug administration is a key public health topic. More than half of all pregnant women worldwide use acetaminophen, often believing it to be the safest choice for managing common ailments like headaches and fevers during pregnancy. How Tylenol Is Commonly Used During Pregnancy and Childhood During pregnancy, women are often advised to be cautious about medications. Acetaminophen has long been recommended as a safe option for managing pain and fever. However, it is known that the drug crosses the placental barrier, which means there is prenatal acetaminophen exposure for the developing fetus. The concern is how this exposure might impact fetal brain development. For children, acetaminophen is a very common fever medication. After the CDC warned against using aspirin for children in 1980 , acetaminophen became the primary recommendation from pediatricians for treating fevers from illnesses or post-vaccination reactions. This has made it a household standard for parents for generations. Some research has explored this connection directly in children. A 2008 parent survey published in the journal Autism found that acetaminophen use at 12–18 months of age was associated with an increased likelihood of an autism diagnosis. This study was one of the early indicators that prompted further investigation into the drug's potential effects on neurodevelopment. Why Tylenol Is Often Recommended Over Other Pain Relievers The widespread recommendation for the brand name Tylenol and generic acetaminophen has historical roots. In the 1980s, public health officials grew concerned about the link between aspirin and Reye syndrome, a rare but serious condition in children. This led the CDC to advise against aspirin use for children's fevers, and acetaminophen quickly filled the void as the safer alternative. For pregnant women, other common pain relievers like ibuprofen (an NSAID) are generally not recommended, especially in the third trimester , due to potential risks to the fetus. This has left acetaminophen as the primary over-the-counter choice for pain and fever management, a practice supported by many OB-GYNs for decades. So, is acetaminophen considered safe for children in relation to autism risk? While it is still the recommended fever reducer, the emerging research suggests a more cautious approach. The consensus from health authorities is that it should be used only when necessary and at the lowest effective dose for the shortest time, balancing its benefits against potential risks.

Essential Signs of Autism Symptoms in Infants to Monitor