Early Warning Signs

• Doesn't respond with a smile or happy expression by 6 months

• Doesn't mimic sounds or facial expressions by 9 months

• Doesn't babble or coo by 12 months

• Doesn't gesture — such as point or wave — by 14 months

• Doesn't say single words by 16 months

• Doesn't play "make-believe" or pretend by 18 months

• Doesn't say two-word phrases by 24 months

• Loses language skills or social skills at any age

OUR STORY

Our son hit all his benchmarks until he was almost 2 years old. He was the picture of health, but about 3 months after his 2nd birthday, we noticed the regression. He had lost almost all his vocabulary. He rarely made eye contact. He did not respond to his name. He wouldn't play with other kids. He fixated on certain toys, especially anything with wheels. He would hold the toy car or train and spin the wheels. Unfortunately, just because your child is hitting their benchmarks early doesn't mean autism can't appear later in development.