As a parent of a child on the spectrum, I continuously read up on information about autism and The Huffington Post is one of my sources. A recent article: “5 Early Signs of Autism” not only spotlights the best early indicators but alludes to a growing acknowledgement that “early” could be 6 months in some cases, and 12 months in many others. While the 12-18 month range is the more frequently cited time to begin developmental observations, the article quotes experts in the field encouraging parents who have concerns at their child’s first birthday to share them with their pediatrician and not wait. There is universal agreement that better outcomes are linked to very early intervention.

Now, with the latest report indicating that the prevalence of autism may actually be 1 in 45, parents are becoming more aware of the importance of alerting doctors and diagnosticians to their personal observations. The Huffington Post article may be helpful in assisting parents with the content of those conversations. However, I will offer one clarification from my own experience. Each early sign in the article begins with the word “doesn’t” (ex: “Doesn’t Engage in Pretend Play”). Parents should not interpret the word “doesn’t” to mean “never”. I believe these lists are intended to help parents uncover a diminished capacity, not just the absence of ability. Parents can ask themselves whether their child is performing a behavior with the frequency and complexity of a typical child at that age. The real goal, of course, is to identify needs so services can begin without delay.

To help guide you further, use the link in the article for the M-Chat Checklist for Autism in Toddlers.