Signs of Autism in Children: What Parents Should Look For
Many parents come to us because they are noticing small differences in their child’s communication, play, or behaviour and are quietly wondering if it could be autism. These feelings are completely valid. When you are concerned about your child, it is natural to want clear, kind and trustworthy guidance. At Grow and Tell, we support families through these early questions every day and our goal is always to offer clarity without overwhelming you.
The signs of autism often relate to a child’s social communication, play skills, sensory processing and behaviour. These may include differences with eye contact, delayed language, repetitive movements, strong interests, difficulty coping with changes and challenges with social interaction. Recognising these signs early can help families access the right support sooner.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Autism signs often appear in communication, social interaction, sensory responses and behaviour.
Early signs can include limited gestures, delayed language, repetitive movements and difficulty coping with change.
Autism is a spectrum and looks different in every child.
Early recognition allows families to begin support strategies that make daily life easier.
Occupational therapists can help identify challenges and build practical strategies through play based therapy.
Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): An OT's Perspective
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a child communicates, interacts, processes sensory information and engages in daily activities. From an OT perspective, autism is understood as a spectrum, which means children experience it in different ways and at different levels of intensity. We look at how autism affects the child’s ability to participate in their everyday occupations, such as play, learning, self care and social interaction. You can read more about the services we offer through our occupational therapy services.
Key Autism Signs in Children
When speaking with parents, we often break down autism signs into two main areas. These areas help families understand what to observe and why these behaviours might occur.
Differences in Social Communication and Interaction
These signs relate to how a child connects with others, expresses themselves and responds to communication.
Common signs include:
Limited or inconsistent eye contact
Delayed speech and language development
Limited gestures such as pointing, waving or showing objects
Difficulty understanding social cues
Trouble initiating play or joining other children
Preferring to play alone rather than with others
Challenges with back and forth conversation
Unusual tone of voice or repetitive speech patterns
If you would like to learn more about typical communication milestones, you can visit our speech and language milestones page or explore our speech pathology services.
Restricted and Repetitive Patterns of Behaviour
These signs relate to the way a child manages routines, responds to sensory input or repeats certain movements.
Common examples include:
Repetitive movements such as hand flapping, spinning or rocking
Strong preference for routines and difficulty with unexpected changes
Intense or focused interests
Repetitive play, such as lining up toys
Sensory seeking behaviour such as spinning, crashing or watching things move
Sensory sensitivities to sounds, textures or lights
Strong emotional reactions to small changes or frustrations
Fixation on specific topics, characters or objects
Social challenges can also appear in this category and you can explore more about how we support this area through our social skills programs.
Recognising Early Signs of Autism in Toddlers
Autism signs can appear very early, sometimes before a child turns two. Many parents notice subtle differences but are unsure whether they should be concerned. These are some early signs we commonly discuss with families of toddlers aged around twelve to twenty four months.
Not responding to their name
Limited eye contact or difficulty maintaining it
Not pointing to show interest or share attention
Limited babbling or very few words
Rare use of gestures
Not showing or bringing objects to others
Repetitive movements or unusual play patterns
Limited interest in interacting with others
Strong reactions to sensory experiences such as noise or texture
Early signs do not necessarily mean a child has autism, but they can be helpful indicators to guide your next steps.
How Can an Occupational Therapist Help?
As paediatric occupational therapists, we play an important role in supporting children who may show signs of autism. We begin by observing your child’s play, communication, motor skills and sensory processing to understand how their differences affect daily life. From there, we work closely with families to build practical strategies that make everyday tasks easier, from self care and emotional regulation to social skills and play.
We use play based therapy to build new skills in a supportive and engaging way. This might include sensory based activities, motor planning challenges, social play opportunities or routines that help your child participate more successfully in their day. You can learn more about our approach through our OT services and find additional information about funding through NDIS occupational therapy.
What to Do if You're Concerned
If you are worried about your child’s development, the best next step is to speak with your GP or paediatrician or reach out to a qualified therapist for guidance. You can also explore helpful information on our FAQs page.
Your Partner in Your Child's Journey
Early support can make a meaningful difference in helping your child grow with confidence. At Grow and Tell, we are here to guide families with clarity, kindness and evidence based care. If you would like personalised support or would like to discuss your concerns, you can connect with our team through our contact page.
