Parents are usually the first to notice. Maybe your toddler doesn't respond to their name, lines up toys instead of playing with them, or has lost words they used to say. Wondering about autism can be frightening — but noticing early is genuinely a good thing, because early support makes a real difference. Here's what the early signs look like and what to do next.
Early signs by area
Autism shows up differently in every child, but early signs tend to cluster in a few areas:
- Social connection: limited eye contact, not responding to their name, not sharing smiles, or seeming “in their own world.”
- Communication: delayed or absent words, not pointing to show you things, or losing language and social skills they once had.
- Play and interests: lining up or spinning objects, intense focus on parts of toys, or difficulty with pretend play.
- Repetitive behaviors: hand-flapping, rocking, toe-walking, or strong need for routine and sameness.
- Sensory responses: unusual reactions to sounds, textures, lights, or movement.
These signs don't equal a diagnosis — many have other explanations, and every child is different. Only a qualified professional (such as a developmental pediatrician or psychologist) can diagnose autism. Losing skills, though, always warrants a prompt conversation with your pediatrician.
What to do if you notice these signs
Trust your instincts and act on them — without panicking. Start by talking with your child's pediatrician and asking about a developmental screening. In Tennessee, families of young children can also contact the Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS), which offers evaluation and services at no cost. Keep in mind that a therapy evaluation looks at your child's skills and needs — it is not an autism diagnosis. An autism diagnosis comes from a psychologist or neuropsychologist, a developmental or neurodevelopmental pediatrician, a pediatric neurologist, or your child's pediatrician. You don't need a diagnosis in hand, though, to begin supporting your child's communication and development.
Concerned about your toddler's development? Our speech, occupational therapy, and ABA teams can help you take the next step — tell us what you're seeing and we'll guide you.
How therapy helps
Whatever the eventual diagnosis, early therapy supports the skills that matter most — communication, social connection, play, and daily independence. Speech-language therapy and occupational therapy can begin building those skills right away, and applied behavior analysis (ABA) is one of the most researched and widely trusted approaches for helping children with autism manage its challenges and grow. The earlier support starts, the more it tends to help.
A note on our services: Midsouth Therapy Group's ABA program is accepting a limited number of preschool-aged children in select area preschools. Our speech-language and occupational therapy teams are accepting new families across the Memphis metro, too.