How to Recognize the Signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children

Keeping track of your child’s development, but unsure if their behavior might indicate the presence of autism? Take a look at this list of ASD symptoms.

girl smiling holding wooden block toy, woman gesturing in foreground

Updated April 23, 2026

By Maria Emerson, Director, Rehab Services, Pediatric and Community Based Services

Autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, can show symptoms in children as young as 6 months old, but those symptoms have typically been difficult to detect at an early enough stage for effective intervention. However, thanks to recent improvements in identifying and tracking symptoms for ASD, this may be changing for the better.

In 2022, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that 1 in 31 8-year-old children were identified as having autism – nearly twice as many children as were identified in 2014. Identifying the behavioral traits of autism early is an important step in making sure that children are evaluated and given the developmental tools they need to thrive as soon as possible.

Here’s what you need to know about the early signs of autism in children.

What are some symptoms of autism in children?

Every child is different and develops at his or her own pace. However, there are specific developmental milestones that all children should be reaching by specific ages.

Often, in children with ASD, their concrete cognitive skills are good, but their development of social emotional, communication and play skills are a challenge. For example, children with ASD might be advanced at knowing and reciting their letters, numbers, colors and shapes, but they can’t pretend-play.

Autism can be diagnosed as early as 18 months, and signs of developmental delay can begin to appear as early as 6 months. Here are some signs to look for in your child:

Very quiet as a baby with limited vocalizations and babbling.
Limited vocabulary, says few words, or doesn’t talk at all.
Decreased use of gestures and pointing.
Lack of or inconsistent eye contact.
Overly interested in specific toys or mechanical toys.
Plays with parts of toys (i.e. wheels of a car).
Obsessed with technology and may be very advanced at tech games.
Likes to be alone. For example, may spend long periods of time alone in his crib or behind a couch playing.
Seemingly shows a lack emotion. For example, may be fussy or never seem to be very happy, or, might giggle and laugh for no apparent reason.
May flap hands when excited.
May walk on “tip toes.”
Has frequent tantrums and can be difficult to calm.
Engages in repetitive movements like spinning things or repeatedly pushing the same button on a toy to hear the sound over and over again.
Has a hard time reading facial expressions in others like signs of anger or sadness
Lacks an understanding of safety. For example, will climb on things or touch a hot stove.
Lack of an awareness of rules.
May have feeding or eating issues. For example, many children with ASD are picky eaters. They may only eat a certain color or texture of food.
May exhibit issues with transitioning to different foods. For example, may not transition from a bottle to sippy cup or transition from pureed foods to mixed textured foods.
May exhibit inconsistent skills or “scattered skills.”
May have difficulty understanding an abstract idea. For example, when you show them a baseball and call it a “ball” but then you show them a football and call it a “ball,” they can’t understand that the two different shapes are objects called the same thing.

If you recognize these symptoms in your child, you can discuss any concerns and determine next steps with a provider who is trained in early intervention services.

Is it important to identify the signs of developmental delay early?

Yes, it’s important to learn the signs of autism or other developmental delays or disabilities in children, so that you can identify them as soon as they present. In fact, the CDC recommends acting early if you see these signs. Don’t wait – if you suspect that this might be the case, get in contact with a specialist as soon as possible. Here’s three reasons why:

Brain Plasticity: The brain is most adaptable in early childhood; early intervention can make a significant difference in a child's development.
Missed Opportunities: Waiting can cause families to miss crucial windows of opportunity to support development, potentially leading to long-term challenges.
Advocacy: Parents are the experts on their child and should trust their instincts; a "gut feeling" that something is wrong often warrants prompt investigation.

Connect with resources to help your child thrive

When it comes to your child’s well-being, you never have to make decisions alone. Virtua Health is equipped with a team of behavioral health specialists to meet the needs of your little one as they grow to their fullest potential.

For more information about Virtua’s Early Intervention Program call 1-888-847-8823.

To make a referral call: 1-888-NJEIINFO (1-888-653-4463).