Recognizing the Most Common Autism Symptoms of Toddlers
When you are trying to figure out the autism symptoms of toddlers, it can often be confusing. How much is just normal toddler behavior, how much is a phase of some sort, and how much is cause for serious concern? One thing that you can use to look at to help you decide is the child's behavior.
Routine
Toddlers with autism will display many behavior related symptoms. They will have a marked need for routine, needing to do everything in the same way, every time. For example, if you always travel home from the grocery store the same way, your child might notice if you take a different route, and get very upset. Very likely, he will want to have the same things for breakfast and meals, and at the same time every day. Bed time should be kept consistent. This need for routine is a common autism symptom of toddlers and children.
Lining up Toys
A toddler might line up his toys repeatedly. This is a classic autistic symptoms that toddlers exhibit. He won't play with them in the traditional way – there is a definite lack of imaginative play.
Typical kids might play house or give human-like qualities to inanimate objects. They might pretend they are having tea, or at a monster truck rally, or something of the like. They might pretend they have super powers.
Autistic kids, though, will take the same dolls or trucks their peers played with, and line them up. They will get very upset if someone tries to interrupt them from this. This desire to line up toys is another autism symptom of toddlers.
Other Autism Symptoms of Toddlers
There are several other autism symptoms that parents may notice in their toddlers such as:
- Autistic kids don't like to share things as much with others.
- A typical kid will point to show things of interest to parents, but a toddler with autism won't.
- There will be lots of repetitive behaviors, and your child may seem interested in unusual things, like the slant of light through the window or the sound something makes. They may spend hours observing these things.
- Kids with autism are not good with new situations. There will be a lot of screaming, yelling and meltdowns in general if they are made to try something new they haven't done before.
- Also, because of sensory issues, meltdowns are common in large crowds of people, and in close, crowded areas with other kids, due to the noise and commotion levels.
- They are very detail oriented, and will notice things that you never would have about any object or situation.
Autism Symptoms of Toddlers Often Show in Preschool
Often, a toddler is considered just a little bit quirky until it is time for preschool or kindergarten, and then the parents will get a rude awakening when they see how different their child is from his peers.
Since autism in many cases has a genetic role to it, parents often might remember having similar, but less severe traits, and not think as much of some of the milder ones. Once at school, though, the gap between the child with autism and his typical peers is a big one.
Don't worry; there is help available if you think that your child displays some of these autism symptoms of toddlers.
Once parents begin to notice and understand the autism symptoms in their toddlers, then we can devise treatments and training to help them cope with the world around them.
Hopefully treatments can make life a little easier especially for those with autism and the people who love them. For additional tips and suggestions that can help your loved one live a fulfilling and happy life see The Autism Survival Guide.
I enjoy and appreciate the information, anything to help my son and my own understanding of what life is like for Nicholas. It also helps me educate my son's teacher and EA which this process is ongoing and at times very frustrating.
My name is Matt Turner from Australia. I have a 6 y.o. with autism (fairly mild). I found your work insightful and helpful - my wife is a doctor and spent many hours wading through medical texts to no avail. Our son Finley Turner is a very bright, friendly, healthy, unconditionally loved boy who can lose it sometimes. The guide helped us understand what to do and it helps him as much as us. Thanks for the work and I have recommended you to other parents in similar situations.
I found your articles to be extremely helpful...I applaud you for sharing your story and helping others who are going through similar situations. Thank you for sharing your story.
I was pleasantly surprised by the consistency, and thoroughness of the topics. I think this is a valuable tool. I think this was a valuable tool for me because as a parent we all need a kick in the butt and stay on task, constantly fighting, updating and communicating with caregivers, teachers and finding tools for our children. Keep it up!
I definitely found your information helpful. My grandson was just diagnosed this summer. He is very smart and sweet. We will continue to be an advocate for him thanks to your information. I am including a picture of him. 
"Hi my son of 3 and a half years was diagnosed today, I had concerns so prior to his appointment I researched it and joined your newsletter. The information was so helpful and very supportive it was almost like having a counselor as I opened each email I felt like some one really understood my situation so thanks you so much for that, it's a very hard thing to accept and you do feel alone but with the letters I was given inspiration and hope that not everything was going to be doom and gloom it was and still is a lifeline.
"I have found the newsletters very valuable. I have forwarded them to teachers who work with Matthias when they apply."
I have been reading your Newsletter for a while now. Find attached a picture of my family. Joel is the little boy in glasses. Thanks for putting a smile on me. My knowledge and support is increasing. I feel more positive towards helping my son than ever.
I am Ben's grandmother and see him every single day. He is a joy. What your info does is help us to understand the melt downs that quite frankly we have always put down to the meds that he takes. We have proved your theory of a strict regime for Ben. Each letter adds to our knowledge. Keep it up dear friend. We learn from you every day and will I am sure continue to learn. God Bless you.