7 Very Early Signs Of Autism That Can Show Up In Young Children

A psychologist shares some of the more noticeable signs parents can look out for.

Parents editor at HuffPost UK

Many children show signs of autism as early as 12 months old, or in their preschool years. However, for others whose traits are more subtle, their neurodivergence might only become noticeable as they get older.

What makes it hard to spot is that some of the earliest signs of autism – like repeating words or sensory overwhelm – can look like normal childhood behaviour, especially when they are very little.

According to Dr Bijal Chheda, consultant psychologist and founder of private mental health and psychology clinic Nos Curare, autism presents differently across children, and no single behaviour indicates it on its own.

Here, the expert has shared seven early signs of autism parents can watch out for, as well as advice on how to best support your child if they display these traits.

1. Limiting eye contact

“Limited eye contact can be one of the earlier differences parents notice in social interaction,” said Dr Chheda.

In toddlers, this might mean they look past a parent during a cuddle, or avoid looking at you when they’re being fed.

“For some children, looking directly at another person’s face can involve taking in a lot of social information at once,” she explained.

“Reading facial expressions and following where someone is looking can make sustained eye contact feel more demanding.”

So, looking away can be a way of reducing that sensory load, rather than a sign your child doesn’t want to connect.

Her advice is to make a note of the situations in which it happens. “A child may find social interaction harder when tired or overwhelmed, so recurring patterns can be more meaningful than isolated moments,” she said.

By the age of two, children are typically saying words........

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