Early Signs of Autism: What to Look For (and What to Do Next)

By pwsadmin | January 27, 2026

Excerpt: Recognizing early signs of autism can help families in Spokane and Eastern Washington access support sooner. Learn what to watch for in your child's development and practical next steps to take.

Meta Title: Early Signs of Autism: What to Look For and Next Steps | Spokane WA

Meta Description: Learn early autism signs in communication, social skills, and behavior. Get practical guidance for Spokane area families on when to seek evaluation and support.

As a parent, you naturally watch your child grow and wonder if they're reaching milestones "on time." Every child develops at their own pace, but sometimes you might notice patterns that make you curious about autism. If you're reading this, you're already being a thoughtful, observant parent.

Here in Spokane and throughout Eastern Washington and North Idaho, many families have questions about autism signs. The good news? Early recognition can lead to early support, which makes a real difference in a child's development and your family's journey.

Understanding Early Signs: What to Watch For

Early signs of autism can appear as early as 6 months, though they typically become more noticeable between ages 2 and 3. These signs fall into several key areas of development.

Social Communication and Interaction

By 6-12 months, you might notice:

Few or no big smiles or joyful expressions directed at you
Limited eye contact during feeding, play, or conversations
Little back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles, or facial expressions
No response when you call their name
Discomfort with being touched, held, or cuddled

By 12-24 months, watch for:

Minimal babbling or "baby talk"
Few or no gestures like pointing, waving, or reaching to show you things
Limited interest in other children during playdates or at parks
Difficulty seeming to understand when others are happy, sad, or upset
Lack of "joint attention" : not looking back and forth between you and an interesting toy or activity

Remember, some children are naturally quieter or more reserved. These signs become more meaningful when you notice several together or when they seem quite different from other children of similar ages.

Language Development Differences

Communication develops differently for every child, but certain patterns may indicate autism:

Limited or no speech by typical milestone ages
Very few meaningful two-word phrases by 24 months
Unusual voice tone : perhaps very flat, sing-song, or robotic
Repeating words or phrases over and over (called echolalia)
Loss of previously learned words : this regression is particularly important to discuss with your pediatrician

It's worth noting that some children with autism may actually have large vocabularies but struggle with back-and-forth conversation. Others might communicate very effectively through gestures, pictures, or even sign language before developing spoken words.

Repetitive Behaviors and Focused Interests

Children with autism often show repetitive movements or very intense interests:

Movement patterns you might see:

Hand flapping, especially when excited or upset
Rocking back and forth
Spinning themselves or objects repeatedly
Walking on tiptoes frequently

Play and interest patterns:

Lining up toys in precise orders and getting upset when someone moves them
Focusing intensely on specific parts of toys (like spinning wheels endlessly)
Playing the same way with toys every time
Developing very strong interests in unusual topics or objects

Sensory Sensitivities

Many children with autism experience the world differently through their senses:

You might notice:

Covering ears or becoming very upset with certain sounds (vacuum cleaner, hand dryers, sirens)
Strong reactions to textures : avoiding certain fabrics, foods, or materials
Unusual responses to temperatures, lights, or smells
Seeking out or avoiding specific sensory experiences intensely

Some children might seem under-responsive to things like their name being called or even pain, while being over-responsive to other sensations.

The Importance of Regression

One particularly important sign to watch for is regression : when a child loses skills they previously had. If your toddler was saying words, making eye contact, or engaging socially and then stops doing these things, this warrants immediate discussion with your pediatrician.

Regression can happen gradually or seem to occur suddenly, and it's always worth investigating regardless of your child's age.

What This Means (and What It Doesn't)

Seeing some of these signs doesn't automatically mean your child has autism. Many conditions can affect development, including hearing loss, other developmental differences, or simply natural variation in how children grow and learn.

What these signs ARE:

Indicators that it might be helpful to have a professional evaluation
Information to share with your child's pediatrician
Early opportunities to provide additional support if needed

What these signs are NOT:

A definitive diagnosis
Something you caused through your parenting
Reasons to panic or assume the worst

Your Next Steps: Practical Actions for Spokane Area Families

If you're noticing several of these signs, here's what you can do:

1. Document What You're Seeing

Keep simple notes about specific behaviors, when they happen, and how often. This information helps professionals understand your child's patterns. You might jot down things like:

"Doesn't respond when I call her name, but clearly hears the TV from across the room"
"Lines up cars every day, gets very upset if someone moves them"
"Used to say 'mama' and 'bye-bye' but stopped around 18 months"

2. Talk with Your Pediatrician

Schedule an appointment specifically to discuss your observations. Most pediatricians in the Spokane area are familiar with developmental screening tools like the M-CHAT (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers), which they can administer during visits at 18 and 24 months.

Don't wait for your next routine visit if you have concerns : call and explain that you'd like to discuss your child's development.

3. Request Formal Developmental Evaluation

If screening suggests further evaluation would be helpful, ask for referrals to:

Developmental pediatricians
Child psychologists specializing in autism assessment
Multi-disciplinary evaluation teams

In the Spokane area, several clinics provide comprehensive autism evaluations, though wait times can vary.

4. Check Hearing First

Before or alongside other evaluations, ensure your child's hearing is thoroughly tested. Sometimes what looks like social withdrawal or language delays is actually hearing loss, which requires different support.

5. Explore Early Intervention Services

For children under 3: Contact Washington State's Early Support for Infants and Toddlers program, which provides services regardless of family income. In North Idaho, similar services are available through the Idaho Infant Toddler Program.

For children 3 and older: Reach out to your local school district's Child Find program, which is required to evaluate children for special education services at no cost to families.

6. Consider Communication Support

While you're exploring evaluations, consider that all children benefit from rich communication opportunities. Sign language can support communication development for any child, including those with autism. Some families find that using simple signs reduces frustration while spoken language is developing.

At Hands in Motion PNW, we work with families to support both language development and other learning goals through evidence-based approaches.

7. Understand Insurance Coverage

Check your insurance benefits for:

Developmental evaluations
Speech therapy
Occupational therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy if recommended

Washington State requires most insurance plans to cover autism-related services, though specific coverage varies.

What to Expect from Professional Support

If your child receives an autism diagnosis, remember that this opens doors to helpful services and support. Modern, ethical autism therapy focuses on:

Teaching communication and social skills
Supporting your child's unique strengths and interests
Helping your family develop effective strategies
Building independence and quality of life
Respecting your child's individual needs and preferences

Quality ABA therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and educational support all aim to help children thrive while honoring who they are.

Moving Forward with Confidence

Every child's developmental journey is unique. Whether your child has autism or other support needs, early recognition and intervention can make a meaningful difference. Trust your instincts as a parent, seek professional guidance when you have questions, and remember that you're not alone in this process.

The Spokane community and broader Eastern Washington region have many resources and supportive professionals ready to help families navigate these questions and provide excellent care for children with diverse needs.

Categories: ABA Therapy, Language Development, Resources

Disclaimer: This article provides educational information only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals for concerns about your child's development and for proper evaluation and diagnosis.