Signs Your Toddler Is Not Autistic

Recognize clear signs your toddler is not autistic, understand typical developmental milestones and when to seek guidance.

By Brighter Strides ABA

June 19, 2024

Recognizing Typical Development

When evaluating whether a toddler is displaying signs of typical development, it's essential to understand the expected milestones and age-appropriate social interaction behaviors.

Normal Developmental Milestones

Developmental milestones, as defined by the CDC, are skills such as taking a first step, smiling for the first time, and waving 'bye-bye'. Between the ages of one to three, toddlers typically reach a variety of developmental milestones. These include achieving greater independence, recognizing themselves in pictures or a mirror, forming sentences, and exploring new objects and people around them.

According to Michigan.gov - MiKidsMatter, these milestones represent behaviors most children exhibit by a certain age, covering a wide range of activities like playing, learning, speaking, and moving.

Age	Milestones
1 Year	Takes first steps, smiles, waves 'bye-bye'
2 Years	Recognizes self in pictures or mirror, puts words together
3 Years	Talks in sentences, explores new objects and people

By the age of three, 80% of a child's brain develops, during which their memory, language, thinking, and reasoning skills start to form. Children learn by imitating behavior, especially that of adults and older children, and may exhibit defiant behavior as they explore the world around them.

Age-Appropriate Social Interaction

The way a toddler interacts with others can offer clear signs of typical development. If a child responds to their name, copies spoken words, and waves "bye-bye," they are likely developing normally and are unlikely to have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Age	Social Interactions
1 Year	Responds to name, waves 'bye-bye'
2 Years	Copies spoken words, shows interest in other children
3 Years	Shares toys, expresses affection openly

Achieving these milestones by their third birthday typically indicates that a child is unlikely to receive an ASD diagnosis. However, missing these milestones may indicate a developmental delay and should be brought up with a healthcare professional. Understanding these signs of typical development can help parents and caregivers monitor their toddler's progress and seek help if necessary.

Key Indicators of Typical Development

Understanding typical development in toddlers can help parents differentiate between normal behavior and potential signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Key aspects of typical development involve language and communication skills and engagement in imaginative play.

Language and Communication Skills

One of the clear indicators of a neurotypical toddler includes the development of age-appropriate language and communication skills. These skills range from responding to their name, imitating spoken words and phrases, to using gestures such as waving 'bye-bye' [1]. Essentially, these are developmental milestones as defined by the CDC's Developmental Milestones guide.

For instance, by 18 months, many toddlers can say several simple words, point to an object or picture when it's named, and recognize names of familiar people, objects, and body parts.

Age	Language & Communication Milestones
12 months	Responds to their name, imitates spoken words
18 months	Says several simple words, points to named objects or pictures

While children develop at different rates, these milestones give a general idea of what to expect in a neurotypically developing toddler.

Engaging in Imaginative Play

Another key indicator that a toddler might not have ASD is their engagement in imaginative play. This involves behaviors such as pretending to talk on the phone, feeding a doll or stuffed animal, or making vehicle sounds while playing with cars or trucks. This type of play often reflects children's experiences and is a crucial part of their social and cognitive development.

Imaginative play often involves interaction with peers and adults, using toys as props to represent real-world objects, and creating narratives about the play scenario. It's an important way that children learn social roles and norms, understand and interpret the world around them, and develop language and communication skills.

If a toddler engages in this type of imaginative play, it's usually a sign of typical social and cognitive development. However, it's also important to remember that children develop at their own pace, and the absence of these behaviors doesn't necessarily indicate ASD. If there are concerns about a child's development, it's always advisable to seek professional guidance.

Monitoring a toddler's developmental milestones in language, communication skills, social interaction, and play can provide a better understanding of their typical development and help identify potential concerns early on [2].

Monitoring Developmental Progress

Understanding the typical developmental progress of a toddler can provide vital insights into their growth and allow for early identification of any potential developmental concerns. Two key areas to monitor are motor skills and social engagement.

Tracking Motor Skills

Motor skills, such as taking a first step or waving 'bye-bye', are called developmental milestones [3]. These milestones offer important clues about a child's development. Children showing typical development generally reach these milestones within expected age ranges. However, it's important to note that children develop at different rates and not all children reach specific milestones by certain ages. If a child is suspected of being behind, it's advised to seek help promptly to address any potential challenges.

According to HealthyChildren.org, children on the autism spectrum usually show differences in the development of gestures, pretend play, and social language, but typically sit, crawl, and walk on time. These subtler differences may go unnoticed by families and doctors.

Observing Social Engagement

Another key area to monitor in a toddler's development is social engagement. Clear indicators that a toddler is not autistic include engaging in age-appropriate social interactions and participating in imaginative play [2]. If a child responds to their name, copies spoken words, waves "bye-bye," and shows interest in others, they are likely developing typically and are unlikely to have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

On the other hand, one of the key developmental differences between children with ASD and those without is a delay in or lack of joint attention. Delays in joint attention skills are commonly found in most children with ASD.

By carefully monitoring a toddler's developmental progress in motor skills and social engagement, parents and caregivers can gain a better understanding of their child's development and identify signs that suggest a child is not autistic. However, if there are any concerns about a child's development, it's important to seek professional guidance promptly.

Identifying Potential Concerns

While monitoring your toddler's development, it's important to be aware of any signs that might indicate potential concerns. Two key areas to consider are delayed developmental milestones and signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Delayed Developmental Milestones

Delayed milestones, where a toddler does not achieve certain developmental milestones within the expected timeframe, may indicate potential developmental concerns. Examples include delays in speech and language development, repetitive behaviors, and lack of social engagement.

For instance, if a child has not achieved certain milestones by their third birthday, they might have a developmental delay. However, this does not necessarily mean they will receive an ASD diagnosis [1].

A notable point to mention is that children on the autism spectrum usually show delays in spoken language or differences in how they interact with peers. However, they typically sit, crawl, and walk on time. The subtler differences in the development of gestures, pretend play, and social language may go unnoticed by families and doctors.

Signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Children on the autism spectrum typically demonstrate delays in nonverbal communication and spoken language. For instance, they may show differences in the use of labels and may repeat what they hear for a longer period (parroting or echoing). Additionally, some children may exhibit unusual language use, talking more like an adult than a toddler [5].

Another potential sign of ASD is a regression in developmental milestones and skills. For example, around 25% of children who are later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder may experience a regression in skills, including developing language that they subsequently or suddenly stop using between the ages of 15 and 24 months. These children might also become more socially withdrawn during this change.

In understanding these potential concerns, it is crucial to remember that every child develops at their own pace and delayed milestones or signs of ASD do not definitively confirm a diagnosis. If you notice any of these signs in your toddler, it is recommended to consult with a pediatrician for professional guidance and potential early intervention strategies.

Seeking Professional Guidance

Even if a toddler is exhibiting signs of typical development, it can be beneficial to seek professional guidance. Consulting with a healthcare professional can help address any lingering concerns and ensure appropriate support and intervention.

Consulting with a Pediatrician

If there are concerns about how a child plays, learns, speaks, acts, or moves, parents are advised to consult their pediatrician. Pediatricians and other healthcare providers can perform specialized screenings and evaluations to diagnose autism, including developmental surveillance and developmental screening. This might also involve a formal evaluation by a trained specialist such as a child psychologist or developmental-behavioral pediatrician [6].

While there is no laboratory test to diagnose autism, a formal evaluation provides a more in-depth look at a child's development. This assessment helps to identify the child's strengths and challenges, which can be valuable information even if the child is not autistic.

Importance of Early Intervention

Early detection and intervention in autism greatly improve outcomes, emphasizing the importance of recognizing symptoms as early as possible in children. However, early intervention isn't just crucial for autism. It has been shown to significantly improve outcomes for children with a range of developmental delays or disabilities [7].

Therefore, it is essential to trust your instincts as a parent. If something doesn't seem right, don't wait. Seek professional guidance. Even if your child is not autistic, early intervention can significantly impact their development and provide them with the support they need.

In conclusion, while it's essential to know the signs your toddler is not autistic, it's equally important to act on any concerns about your child's development. Consulting with a pediatrician or specialist can provide reassurance and ensure your child receives any necessary support or intervention.

Diagnostic Process for Autism

If you are seeking clarification on the signs your toddler is not autistic, it's essential to understand the diagnostic process for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This process includes specialized screenings and evaluations, followed by the creation of individualized treatment plans if necessary.

Specialized Screenings and Evaluations

Healthcare providers can perform specialized screenings and evaluations to diagnose autism. This includes developmental surveillance, developmental screening, and formal evaluation by a trained specialist such as a child psychologist or developmental-behavioral pediatrician [6].

Though there is no laboratory test to diagnose autism, a formal evaluation provides a more in-depth look at a child's development and can help determine a formal diagnosis. This evaluation can clearly highlight the strengths and challenges of the child.

Services like Early On Michigan can provide assistance in evaluating a child's development and determining the next steps if there are concerns about a child being behind in reaching developmental milestones or facing physical challenges.

Individualized Treatment Plans

If there are concerns about how a child plays, learns, speaks, acts, or moves, parents are advised to consult their pediatrician. Early intervention can significantly impact a child's development.

Organizations like Autism Canada offer valuable resources for parents concerned about ASD in their children, including information on assessment and intervention opportunities. The assessment process for ASD often involves a team of professionals working together to evaluate a child's fit with the symptoms of ASD. This process includes observations in various settings, interviews with parents, and the completion of assessment tasks to assess the child's development.

Based on the results of these evaluations, professionals can create an individualized treatment plan that meets the child's unique needs and enhances their strengths. This plan can involve a combination of therapy options, including behavioral therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy, among others.

In conclusion, the diagnostic process for autism involves a comprehensive evaluation of the child's developmental progress. If a parent or caregiver has concerns about their toddler's development, they should consult with a healthcare professional to determine the most appropriate course of action. The focus should be on early intervention and individualized treatment for the best possible outcomes.