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Autism Symptoms to Watch for in a Toddler

If you’re wondering about autism in a toddler, there are some handy tools and resources designed for this age group—around 1 to 3 years old. Toddlers are still growing fast, so these focus on early social, communication, and behavior clues. None of these are a full “autism test” on their own—only a professional can diagnose autism spectrum disorder (ASD)—but they’re great for flagging patterns to talk about with a doctor. Here’s what’s out there:

  • CDC’s Milestone Checklists: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers free, easy-to-use milestone trackers for toddlers. They list what’s typical—like smiling back by 6 months, pointing by 12 months, or saying a few words by 18 months. For autism, you might notice delays, like not responding to their name by 12 months or not babbling. Check the CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” section online—it’s got printable charts and a mobile app too. If your toddler’s missing a bunch of these, it’s worth a chat with your pediatrician.

  • M-CHAT (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers): This is the go-to screening tool for kids 16-30 months old. It’s a free, 20-question yes/no checklist you can do yourself—stuff like “Does your child look you in the eye for more than a second?” or “Does he/she point to show you something interesting?” You can download it from Autism Speaks or the official M-CHAT site (mchatscreen.com). It takes about 5 minutes, and if your toddler scores high (like 3+ on key questions), it suggests following up with a doctor. It’s widely trusted—posts on X often mention it as a solid first step.

  • Autism Speaks Toddler Resources: Autism Speaks has a whole section for young kids, including the M-CHAT and a “First Concern to Action” toolkit. It walks you through what to watch for—like if your toddler doesn’t mimic you, avoids cuddles, or fixates on spinning toys—and what to do next. It’s parent-friendly and points you to local help if the screening raises red flags.

  • Pediatrician Screening: Multiple resources shown on this link. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends all toddlers get screened for autism at 18 and 24 months during regular checkups, even if you’re not worried. They often use quick tools like the M-CHAT or just ask about milestones. If you’ve noticed things—like no eye contact, repeating actions like hand-flapping, or not talking by 2—it’s a perfect time to bring it up. Doctors can refer you to specialists if needed.

What to look for in toddlers? Key signs might include not responding to smiles or games like peek-a-boo by 12 months, not pointing or waving by 18 months, or getting super upset over small changes (like a toy moving). Repetitive stuff—like lining up cars over and over—or big reactions to noises can show up too. Every toddler’s different, but if these stick around and pile up, these resources can help you figure out if it’s more than a phase.

These tools aren’t a diagnosis—they’re like a flashlight to see if there’s something to explore. If they highlight concerns, a developmental pediatrician or psychologist might do a deeper check, like watching your toddler play or interact (often with something called the ADOS). Early steps matter—support can start as young as 2 if autism’s in the picture.