# When should I worry about autism at 12-18 months? Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-should-i-worry-that-my-12-to-18-month-old-might-have-autism-spectrum Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited 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. ## In short Autism can sometimes be detected at 18 months or younger. A screening result is not a diagnosis. If your child loses skills or you notice a pattern of communication concerns, speak with a pediatrician now rather than waiting for a routine visit. ## What to look for By around 18 months, many children point to show something interesting, try three or more words besides “mama” or “dada,” and follow a one-step direction without a gesture. Development varies, and one missed milestone cannot identify [autism](/autism). A loss of previously learned words or social skills deserves prompt assessment. ## Next steps Describe specific examples to the pediatrician and ask for a developmental assessment. Ask about hearing evaluation if speech or response to sound is a concern. CDC summarizes routine general developmental screening at 9, 18 and 30 months, and autism-specific screening at 18 and 24 months. Additional screening is appropriate whenever there is concern. A screening tool helps identify children who may need a comprehensive evaluation; it does not make the diagnosis. You can discuss supports for communication, play and daily routines while awaiting an evaluation. If you are considering [autism therapy](/autism-therapy), ask the provider about the child's goals, the proposed plan, how progress will be reviewed, and who will conduct the clinical assessment. No online answer can diagnose a child or guarantee improvement. ## Primary sources - CDC, Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder (15 April 2025): https://www.cdc.gov/autism/hcp/diagnosis/screening.html - CDC, Milestones by 18 Months (15 May 2026): https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones/18-months.html Pinnacle Blooms Network provides pediatric developmental services. This is general information, not a diagnosis; families can consult any qualified clinician. ## Sources - CDC — Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder (15 April 2025): https://www.cdc.gov/autism/hcp/diagnosis/screening.html - CDC — Milestones by 18 Months (15 May 2026): https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones/18-months.html ## Connected topics and perspectives - Conditions: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/conditions - Parent: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/parent - Toddler-12-18: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/age/toddler-12-18 - Social: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/domain/social - Concern: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/concern - Screen: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/lifecycle/screen - Autism Therapy: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/route/autism-therapy - Early Clarity: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/early_clarity ## Related question paths ### Understand the subject - How Autism Spectrum Affects a Child's Daily Life: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-does-autism-spectrum-affect-a-child-s-daily-life - Is Autism Spectrum considered a disability?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-autism-spectrum-considered-a-disability - Is Autism Spectrum genetic or hereditary?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-autism-spectrum-genetic-or-hereditary - What are common myths about Autism Spectrum?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-common-myths-about-autism-spectrum - What are the types or levels of Autism Spectrum?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-types-or-levels-of-autism-spectrum - What causes Autism Spectrum in children?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-causes-autism-spectrum-in-children - What is Autism Spectrum?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-autism-spectrum - Conditions That Often Occur Alongside Autism Spectrum: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-other-conditions-often-occur-alongside-autism-spectrum - Early Intervention Outcomes for Autism Under 7: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-current-research-show-about-early-intervention-outcomes-for-autism-spectrum-in-children-under-7 - What is Autism Spectrum, and what are its ICD-11 features in early childhood?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-autism-spectrum-and-what-are-its-icd-11-features-in-early-childhood - What is the ICD-11 classification for Autism Spectrum?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-autism-spectrum - What is the SNOMED CT concept for Autism Spectrum?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-snomed-ct-concept-for-autism-spectrum ### Recognise signs & concerns - When should I worry about autism at 18–24 months?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-should-i-worry-that-my-18-to-24-month-old-might-have-autism-spectrum - When should I worry that my 9-to-12-month-old might have Autism Spectrum?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-should-i-worry-that-my-9-to-12-month-old-might-have-autism-spectrum - When should I worry that my 6-to-9-month-old might have Autism Spectrum?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-should-i-worry-that-my-6-to-9-month-old-might-have-autism-spectrum - What are the early signs of Autism Spectrum in a 12-to-18-month-old?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-autism-spectrum-in-a-12-to-18-month-old - When should I worry about autism in a 3-to-6-month-old?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-should-i-worry-that-my-3-to-6-month-old-might-have-autism-spectrum - Early Signs of Autism Spectrum at 18–24 Months: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-autism-spectrum-in-a-18-to-24-month-old - Can Autism Spectrum Be Cured?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-autism-spectrum-be-cured - Can Autism Spectrum Be Prevented?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-autism-spectrum-be-prevented - Do boys show Autism Spectrum differently?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/do-boys-show-autism-spectrum-differently - Do girls show Autism Spectrum differently?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/do-girls-show-autism-spectrum-differently - What are the early signs of Autism Spectrum?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-autism-spectrum - Early signs of Autism Spectrum in a 1-year-old boy: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-autism-spectrum-in-a-1-year-old-boy ### Explore causes & influences - Are boys more likely to have autism spectrum?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/are-boys-more-likely-to-have-autism-spectrum - Are girls more likely to have Autism Spectrum?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/are-girls-more-likely-to-have-autism-spectrum - What causes Autism Spectrum in young children?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-causes-autism-spectrum-in-young-children - How Autism Early Intervention Advances UN Child Rights and the SDGs: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-does-early-intervention-for-autism-spectrum-advance-un-child-rights-uncrpd-and-the-sdgs - Known contributing factors for Autism Spectrum: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-known-contributing-factors-for-autism-spectrum-in-early-childhood - Cost-Effectiveness of Early Autism Therapy: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-cost-effectiveness-of-early-therapy-for-autism-spectrum-in-young-children - Autism prevalence and public-health burden in young children in India: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-prevalence-and-public-health-burden-of-autism-spectrum-among-young-children-in-india ### Understand assessment - How does AbilityScore track progress in a child with Autism Spectrum?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-does-abilityscore-track-progress-in-a-child-with-autism-spectrum - How Autism Spectrum Is Assessed in a Young Child: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-is-autism-spectrum-assessed-in-a-young-child - What Does an AbilityScore of 0–100 Mean for a Child with Autism?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-0-100-mean-for-a-child-with-autism-spectrum - What an AbilityScore® of 100–200 means for a child with Autism Spectrum: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-100-200-mean-for-a-child-with-autism-spectrum - What does an AbilityScore of 200–300 mean for a child with Autism Spectrum?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-200-300-mean-for-a-child-with-autism-spectrum - What does an AbilityScore of 300–400 mean for a child with Autism Spectrum?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-300-400-mean-for-a-child-with-autism-spectrum - What does an AbilityScore of 400–500 mean for a child with Autism Spectrum?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-400-500-mean-for-a-child-with-autism-spectrum - What does an AbilityScore of 500–600 mean for a child with Autism Spectrum?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-500-600-mean-for-a-child-with-autism-spectrum - What does an AbilityScore of 600–700 mean for a child with Autism Spectrum?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-600-700-mean-for-a-child-with-autism-spectrum - What does an AbilityScore of 700–800 mean for a child with Autism Spectrum?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-700-800-mean-for-a-child-with-autism-spectrum - What an AbilityScore of 800–900 Means for a Child with Autism: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-800-900-mean-for-a-child-with-autism-spectrum - What does an AbilityScore of 900–1000 mean for a child with Autism Spectrum?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-900-1000-mean-for-a-child-with-autism-spectrum ### Explore therapy & support - Can a Child with Autism Attend a Mainstream School?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-a-child-with-autism-spectrum-attend-a-mainstream-school - Can a Child with Autism Attend a Regular School?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-a-child-with-autism-spectrum-attend-a-regular-school - Can a Child With Autism Live Independently?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-a-child-with-autism-spectrum-grow-up-to-live-independently - How to Support Social Development in a Child with Autism: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-we-support-social-development-in-a-child-with-autism-spectrum - How is Autism Spectrum diagnosed in a child?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-is-autism-spectrum-diagnosed-in-a-child - How is Autism Spectrum supported through therapy?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-is-autism-spectrum-supported-through-therapy - Autism AbilityScore® — What to Do Next: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-with-autism-spectrum-has-an-abilityscore-of-0-100-what-should-we-do-next - AbilityScore® 100–200 in Autism Spectrum: Your Next Steps: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-with-autism-spectrum-has-an-abilityscore-of-100-200-what-should-we-do-next - AbilityScore 200–300 in Autism Spectrum — What To Do Next: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-with-autism-spectrum-has-an-abilityscore-of-200-300-what-should-we-do-next - AbilityScore 300–400 in Autism: What to Do Next: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-with-autism-spectrum-has-an-abilityscore-of-300-400-what-should-we-do-next - AbilityScore 400–500 in Autism: What to Do Next: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-with-autism-spectrum-has-an-abilityscore-of-400-500-what-should-we-do-next - AbilityScore 500–600 in Autism: What to Do Next: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-with-autism-spectrum-has-an-abilityscore-of-500-600-what-should-we-do-next