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Autism Symptoms in a One Year Old

Autism is a developmental disorder that affects normal development of social and communication skills. It is very difficult to recognize autism in children under 18 months, because children that age have minimal language and social skills. In many cases, infants can exhibit normal development until the age of one or two, then regress later. While diagnosis is difficult, First Signs, Inc., an organization devoted to recognizing the early signs of autism, recommends that parents focus on the absence of age-typical behavior, rather than the presence of abnormal behavior.

  1. Social Impairment Symptoms at 12 Months

    • A one year-old with autism may not respond to his name. He may also fail to express interest in external object, such as with pointing or eye gaze. There may be a lack of joyful or warm facial expressions and he may not share interest or enjoyment with his parents or peers. He may not establish eye contact or may stare too long at inanimate objects.

    Communication Impairment Symptoms at 12 Months

    • The child may not use showing gestures or may not have coordinated non-verbal communication. There may also be little variation in her voice tone and pitch, or irregular voice rhythms and unusual voice quality. If the child is learning to speak, she may stop progressing or lose previously acquired words.

    Repetitive or Restrictive Symptoms at 12 Months

    • At this age, the child may also exhibit repetitive body movements, such as rocking or head shaking. He may also fidget or move more than usual. There may also be repetitive posturing and hand movements or repetitive movements with objects.

    Sensory Symptoms at Any Age

    • Some sensory symptoms may be difficult to recognize in a child that is pre-verbal. However, there are some symptoms that parents can look out for, even in a one year-old. The child may not startle at loud noises or may find normal noises painful and hold his hands over his ears. He may withdraw from physical contact or cry. He may have an uncomfortable response to sensory input like light, sound or taste. He may have a heightened or reduced response to pain.

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