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Autism
Explore explanations, everyday questions and next steps connected with autism.
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Understanding
What is Autism Spectrum?
Autism Spectrum (ICD-11 6A02) is a lifelong difference in how a child communicates, connects socially and experiences the world, shown through social-communication differences and focused interests or repetitive behaviours. It is a spectrum because every child differs. It is not an illness to cure and not caused by parenting, and early, strengths-based support helps children thrive.
Read the answer AnswerAutism Spectrum vs Cerebral Palsy in Young Children
Autism Spectrum is a difference in social communication, play and sensory processing, while Cerebral Palsy is a motor condition affecting movement, posture and tone from early life. Autism features often emerge between 18 months and 3 years; CP clues usually appear in infancy. A child may have one, the other or both — so a careful look at the whole child matters. Neither defines a child's potential, and both respond well to early, individualised support.
Read the answer AnswerAutism Spectrum vs Down Syndrome in Young Children
Autism Spectrum and Down syndrome are distinct conditions in young children. Down syndrome is a genetic condition caused by an extra chromosome 21, usually recognised at or near birth, affecting physical features, health and learning. Autism is a neurodevelopmental difference in communication, social interaction and play, usually noticed in the toddler years and identified by observing how a child relates rather than by a blood test. A child may have one, both or neither, and early strengths-based support helps either way.
Read the answer AnswerAutism Spectrum vs Global Developmental Delay
Autism Spectrum describes differences in how a child connects, communicates and experiences the world — social-communication differences plus repetitive or sensory patterns. Global Developmental Delay (GDD) describes a broad lag across several skill areas at once in a young child, such as movement, language, thinking and self-care. Autism is mainly a difference in social-communication style, while GDD is a wider delay across domains. The two can overlap and only a qualified clinician can distinguish them through a whole-child assessment.
Read the answer AnswerAutism Spectrum vs Hearing Impairment in young children
Autism Spectrum and Hearing Impairment can look alike in young children — both may show as not responding to a name or delayed speech — but they differ fundamentally. Hearing impairment means sound is not reaching the child, so spoken language is missed; autism is a difference in how a child communicates and connects socially, usually with typical hearing. A child can have both. The essential first step is a hearing test, because the right support depends on knowing which is present.
Read the answer AnswerWhat is the difference between Autism Spectrum and Intellectual Disability in young children?
Autism Spectrum and Intellectual Disability are different developmental profiles that can sometimes co-occur. Autism describes differences in how a child communicates, connects socially and experiences the world, often with uneven skills. Intellectual Disability describes a slower, more even pace of overall thinking, learning and everyday adaptive skills. A child may have one, both or neither — and each responds to early, individualised, strengths-based support.
Read the answer AnswerAutism Spectrum vs Sensory Processing Differences
Autism Spectrum is a difference in social communication, play and flexibility, often with sensory differences alongside. Sensory Processing Differences describe how a child takes in and responds to everyday input — and can occur on their own, without the social-communication features of autism. The two overlap and can look alike, so only a qualified clinician can tell them apart through structured assessment.
Read the answer AnswerAutism Spectrum vs Specific Learning Disability in young children
Autism Spectrum is a broad difference in social communication, play, sensory experience and routines, usually noticed in the toddler and preschool years. Specific Learning Disability is a narrow difference in learning a particular academic skill like reading, writing or maths, in a child whose social and general development is typical — and it usually becomes clear only once formal schooling begins around age 6–8. Neither reflects intelligence, a child can have both, and the right support helps with either.
Read the answer AnswerAutism Spectrum vs Speech and Language Delay
A speech and language delay means a child is talking later than expected while social connection, play and understanding stay on track. Autism spectrum involves differences in both communication and how a child relates socially — so delayed language sits alongside differences in eye contact, gestures, shared play and responding to their name. The two can overlap and early signs are subtle, so only a qualified clinician can distinguish them. Early support strengthens a child's foundations either way.
Read the answerSigns & concerns
Can you tell if a newborn has autism?
A newborn cannot be diagnosed with autism — social communication develops over the first years. The earliest signs appear around 9–18 months. In the newborn weeks, focus on hearing screening, feeding, bonding and routine checks, and look for autism signs later.
Read the answer AnswerWhat are the early signs of Autism Spectrum?
Early signs of autism are differences in social communication — limited response to name, little pointing or eye contact, delayed words — alongside repetitive behaviours or a strong need for sameness, most often noticed between 12 and 24 months. A persistent pattern across settings, or any loss of skills, is a reason to ask for a developmental check, not a diagnosis on its own.
Read the answer AnswerWhat are the early signs of Autism Spectrum in a 12-to-18-month-old?
Between 12 and 18 months, early signs of autism appear in how a child shares attention and connects: limited response to name, little pointing or showing, reduced eye contact, few gestures, and no single words by ~16 months. A persisting pattern — or any loss of skills — is worth a friendly developmental check. Only a qualified clinician can say what it means.
Read the answer AnswerEarly Signs of Autism Spectrum at 18–24 Months
At 18–24 months, early signs of autism cluster around social-communication differences (limited response to name, little sharing-pointing, few shared smiles, delayed words) and repetitive or routine-bound play. A persistent pattern across settings — not one sign — is worth a screen, and any loss of skills needs a prompt check.
Read the answer AnswerWhat are the early signs of Autism Spectrum in a 2-year-old?
At two, early signs of autism are differences in social communication — limited response to name, little pointing or eye contact, few words, less pretend play — alongside repetitive play or distress at routine change. One or two signs warrant a gentle developmental check, not alarm; only a clinician can assess.
Read the answer AnswerEarly Signs of Autism Spectrum in a 3-to-6-Month-Old
Autism cannot be identified at 3 to 6 months and no signs list exists for this age. Focus instead on everyday connection — social smiling, eye contact, cooing — which varies widely and is healthy. Autism screening becomes meaningful from around 16–18 months. Any loss of skills or strong parental concern warrants a prompt paediatric and hearing check, not an early autism assessment.
Read the answer AnswerEarly Signs of Autism Spectrum in a 3-Year-Old
In a 3-year-old, early signs of autism cluster around social-communication differences (limited eye contact, not pointing to share, delayed or repetitive speech, little pretend play) and restricted, repetitive behaviours (hand-flapping, need for sameness, intense narrow interests). One sign alone means little; a persistent pattern across settings is worth a structured developmental check rather than waiting.
Read the answer AnswerEarly Signs of Autism Spectrum in a 4-Year-Old
At four, early signs of autism show as differences in communication, social play and relating to others, plus repetitive behaviours or a strong need for sameness — seen consistently across settings. One sign alone means little; a persistent pattern is a reason for a gentle, timely developmental check, not alarm. Four is an ideal age to act, and only a clinician can assess.
Read the answer AnswerWhat are the early signs of Autism Spectrum in a 5-year-old?
By age five, autism spectrum tends to show as a consistent pattern across home and school: differences in two-way conversation and social play, alongside repetitive routines, intense interests or strong sensory reactions. No single sign confirms autism — but several persisting across settings are reason for a gentle developmental check.
Read the answer AnswerEarly signs of Autism Spectrum in a 6-to-9-month-old
Autism cannot be reliably identified at 6–9 months — babies are still developing the skills we would later observe. Focus on enjoying shared smiles, eye contact, babble and response to your voice, and raise any concern at your routine developmental and hearing checks. Formal autism assessment becomes meaningful from around 18–24 months.
Read the answer AnswerWhat are the early signs of Autism Spectrum in a 6-year-old?
In a 6-year-old, autism signs show as ongoing differences in social communication and flexible play across home and school — difficulty with conversation and friendships, strong need for routine, intense interests, and sensory sensitivities. These are observations to explore, not a diagnosis; only a clinician can confirm.
Read the answer AnswerWhat Are the Early Signs of Autism at 9–12 Months?
At 9–12 months autism is not diagnosed — this is a window to observe how your baby shares smiles, sounds and attention with you. Watch gently for babbling, responding to name, early gestures and warm eye contact over weeks, not a single day. Persistent patterns or any loss of skills deserve a friendly developmental check, not alarm.
Read the answer AnswerWhat are the early signs of Autism Spectrum in a newborn?
Autism cannot be identified in a newborn — there are no reliable signs in the first weeks of life. Enjoy ordinary newborn development, complete the newborn hearing screen and routine check-ups; autism-specific watch-points begin around 9–12 months and assessment becomes meaningful from then.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry about autism at 12-18 months?
Autism can sometimes be detected by 18 months or younger. Loss of skills or persistent communication concerns warrant pediatric assessment. Autism screening is recommended at 18 and 24 months and when concerns arise; screening is not diagnosis.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry about autism at 18–24 months?
From 18 to 24 months, screening for autism becomes reliable and meaningful. A persistent cluster — limited pointing, few words, little response to name, reduced social back-and-forth, or repetitive movements — is worth checking. Worry is a reason to screen, not a diagnosis; only a clinician can confirm.
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