4 Early Signs of Autism You Might Notice Before 12 Months

It can feel overwhelming, even scary, to wonder if something might be different about your child's development. And yet—you're not alone in feeling that way. I've walked alongside hundreds of families who had that exact same gut feeling. Here's the truth: noticing early signs of autism doesn't mean something is “wrong,” and it certainly doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong. It just means your child might need some more support, and the earlier we notice, the more impact we can have.

So let's talk about what to watch for in the first year of life—because the earlier we catch developmental differences, the sooner we can help your child thrive.

What You Can Look For Right Now

Many parents are surprised to learn that signs of autism often start to emerge between 6 and 12 months—even though a formal diagnosis can't usually happen before 18 months. Here are four early signs to keep an eye on if you have a little one under one year old:

1. Little to no babbling: Between 6 and 12 months, babies should be full of sound experimentation—buh buh buh, raspberries, coos, giggles. They’re trying out their voice and mouth muscles. If your baby is unusually quiet or not sound-motivated, it’s worth watching.
2. Low social interest: Babies this age are usually obsessed with their people. If your baby doesn’t light up when you enter the room, doesn’t orient to your voice, or seems indifferent to your presence, that’s a flag to pay attention to.
3. Lack of joint attention: Joint attention is when something exciting happens and your baby wants you involved. Like seeing a ladybug and looking up at you, then back to the bug. It’s a social sharing loop. If your child isn’t trying to bring you into their experience, keep an eye on that.
4. Not responding to sing-song “parentese” voice: You know the high-pitched, animated way we all talk to babies? “Hi there sweet pea! Are you so excited?” Most babies instinctively tune in to that. Autistic babies often don't orient or respond to this social cue.

Why This Matters: Development Builds on Development

Development is cumulative. That means everything builds on what came before. When early social, communication, or motor milestones are missed, future skills can also get delayed. But here's the good news—a lot can be done if we notice early. The first two years of life are a powerful window for brain development. And with responsive support, many children get back on track—or stay on a path that helps them thrive with their unique neurology.

This isn’t about trying to “stop” autism. It’s about recognizing signs early so we can support your child’s learning, growth, connection, and autonomy from the very beginning.

How to Support Your Child if You Notice These Differences

If you’ve noticed any of the signs above—or even if you just feel unsure—here are some specific next steps you can take at home:

1. Track your child’s milestones—Use a clear, evidence-based checklist that outlines key developmental markers by age. My free developmental milestones guide was made exactly for this.
2. Increase face-to-face time—During play, diaper changes, or bath time, get face-level and use expressive voice and animated facial expressions to create more opportunities for eye contact and engagement.
3. Model sounds often—Even if your baby isn’t babbling yet, they’re still listening. Narrate what you're doing, imitate their vocalizations, and leave pauses so they have a chance to respond.
4. Watch for shared attention moments—If your child looks at something interesting, take a beat. Get down and join them. Say, “Wow! I see the bird too!” This models the back-and-forth nature of joint experiences.

Real-Life Scripts to Try During Everyday Moments

Here are a few simple ways to build connection and social attention during your daily routines:

• During play: “You found the ball! Look—it rolls! Did you see it go? Oh wow!” (then look at your child’s face and wait)
• During diaper change: “Hi baby! I’m gonna tickle your toes! Tickle tickle!” (use exaggerated tone and pause to see if they respond)
• Pointing to animals outside: “Look! A kitty! Do you see her?” (then point and look between the child and the object)

When to Seek Support

Trust your gut. If you’ve noticed one or more early signs—especially if they're persistent or if your child is missing multiple social or communication milestones—it’s worth taking the next step. You don’t need to wait until 18 months or older. Early support can look like developmental screening, early intervention referrals, or parent coaching focused on building strong foundations for communication and engagement.

Want Help Tracking Development?

I created a free developmental milestones guide to give parents clarity and peace of mind—especially during the early years when every month brings so much change. Use it to check in on where your child is now, and what to look for next.

Need Personalized Guidance?

If you’d like more personalized support—whether it's figuring out what you're seeing, understanding your child’s unique cues, or getting started with the right strategies—you can schedule a free 30-minute discovery call with me to see if consultation is right for you & your family. I’d be honored to help.

FAQ

How early can signs of autism show up?

Some signs may begin as early as 6 months, especially around social engagement, communication, and early responsiveness. While diagnosis isn’t usually possible until 18 months, signs can emerge much sooner.

Is it normal for babies not to babble much?

All babies develop on slightly different timelines, but by 6 months, there should be some sound experimentation. If your child is still very quiet after 6–9 months, it's worth monitoring and possibly checking in with a developmental professional.

Can I help my child even before getting a diagnosis?

Absolutely. Developmental support doesn’t require a diagnosis. Learning how to support early communication, play, and connection now can make a big difference—regardless of your child’s eventual diagnosis.

What if my pediatrician says “wait and see”?

You can always seek additional support, even if your doctor advises patience. You know your child best. If something feels off, don’t hesitate to talk to a specialist in early development or schedule a consultation with someone trained in early signs of autism.

Where can I find reliable developmental milestone checklists?

I created a clear, easy-to-use milestone tracking guide that covers exactly what to look for from 0 to 24 months—especially signs that could point to autism.