18 Clear Signs Your Child May Be on the Autism Spectrum

Autism is a unique way of experiencing the world, shaping how individuals process information, interact with others, and navigate daily life. As a neurodevelopmental condition, autism presents differently in every person, making it crucial for parents and caregivers to recognize the diverse signs that may indicate a child is on the spectrum. While traditional portrayals of autism often focus on only a few traits, the reality is much broader—many children with autism are undiagnosed for years simply because their symptoms don’t fit the most commonly recognized patterns. Early identification can make a world of difference, providing children with the support, resources, and understanding they need to thrive. That’s why we’ve expanded our list to 18 unmistakable clues that could indicate your child is on the autism spectrum. By becoming familiar with these signs, parents and caregivers can foster an environment where children feel understood, valued, and empowered to embrace their own unique way of thinking and experiencing life.

1. Issues With Language Development

Children with autism or others on the spectrum typically don't develop language with the same markers neurotypical children do. There are certain milestones neurotypical children tend to meet at certain ages. If a child doesn't meet these milestones, they may be autistic. Children usually begin babbling and cooing by twelve months old, and they begin saying singular words by sixteen months. By two years old, most children can say two-word phrases. Children who don't meet these milestones may be autistic, or they may have other developmental issues that make learning language difficult. About twenty-five percent of children with autism are nonverbal, which means they don't speak at all. Some nonverbal children can communicate in other ways like pointing or sign language. There haven't been many studies regarding how autism influences the development of language over time, though researchers have observed some children with autism use vocabulary far more advanced than their peers, which indicates a high level of intelligence and information retention. In the past, autism that presented without significant language impairment was diagnosed as Asperger's syndrome, but nowadays everything is covered under the same spectrum.