Ten Early Signs of Autism in Toddlers: What Mississauga Parents Should Know

We always want to know where our child stands. Are they doing okay? How is their progress and behaviour? What is normal? What is not? It’s not just natural to want to know if a child is atypical or not. It’s imperative. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition that affects communication, social interaction, and behaviour. Early detection of autism Mississauga (and intervention) can be critically important for their development.

So how do you know when to bring your child to Monarch House? Here are ten early warning signs parents of children with autism should be aware of.

1. Eye Contact Is Limited

Gaze avoidance is one of the indicators that parents pick up on first. If your child is having a difficult time making or maintaining eye contact, this could be a sign of potential neurodivergence. Just watch how they interact with other people. If your toddler seems disinterested in visually connecting during communication, or tends to avoid eye contact altogether, bring them to Monarch House for an autism assessment in Mississauga.

2. Engaging In Repetitive Behaviours

Does there always seem to be something in motion around your child? Toddlers with autism have a few tell-tale signs when it comes to repetitive behaviours. Look for actions such as rocking back and forth, hand-flapping, or spinning objects with their hands. Many times, these behaviours tend to serve as self-stimulating activities.

3. Delays In Language Development

If you notice your child’s grasp of communications is not quite at the level of their peers, it might be worth taking a closer look. One of the earliest signs of neurodivergence is delayed speech or language skills. Toddlers may not use gestures to communicate, babble, or point (as expected for their age).

4. Limited Social Interaction

One early warning sign for autism spectrum disorder in young children is a lack of interest in social engagement. Neurodivergent children may show limited interest in taking part in conversations, games, or playing with others. Some things to look for include: if your child does not show interest in sharing experiences with others or does not respond to their name being called. 

5. There Are Difficulties With Changes In Routine

We all have a little bit of a ‘if it’s not broke, don’t fix it’ mentality when it comes to our routines and systems—but neurodivergent toddlers will take this to the extreme. Children with autism fixate on their rituals with uncompromising rigidity and can display extraordinary resistance to change. They may become anxious or upset when met with sudden or unexpected adjustments in the way things are done.

6. Exhibiting Sensory Sensitivities

Bright lights, scratchy surfaces, and louder noises can be more than unsettling for a child with autism—they can be outright intolerable. Sensory sensitivities are a common early detection sign to look for in potentially neurodivergent toddlers. Children may be overly sensitive (or under-reactive) to sensory stimuli such as touch, texture, light, or sound.

8. Obsessive Interests

It’s not uncommon for a child to develop a keen interest in dinosaurs. However, when that child does nothing but talk, read, draw and even think about Jurassic beasts, that fixation may be a sign of early onset autism. Same goes for any topic of interest. Neurodivergent children often develop intense fascinations in specific subjects or objects. They can become obsessed with certain toys, things, or activities, displaying more than a strong preference for predictability and routine.

Why Early Recognition Matters

While every child is different, and it’s important to respect the differences in personality, it’s also imperative to be mindful of these crucial signposts. Recognizing these early signs of autism is a big part of necessary intervention and support. The sooner you can bring your child to Monarch House for identification and assessment, the better. We make use of behavioural therapies like Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), speech therapy, and occupational therapy to help improve communication skills, social interactions, and overall developmental outcomes for neurodivergent children.

What Parents Can Do

If you notice any of these early signs in your toddler, it’s important to discuss your concerns with your pediatrician, developmental specialist, or one of our professionals at Monarch House. We can conduct a comprehensive evaluation to determine whether further assessment for autism is necessary. Trust your gut as a parent and look into resources tailored to your toddler’s needs.

If you have concerns about your child being on the spectrum for autism—it all comes down to being vigilant about observing your child’s early behaviours. Being aware of the warning signs of neurodivergence in young toddlers allows parents to seek timely intervention and support. With help from Monarch House, children with autism can make significant progress in their development and lead fulfilling lives if there is early detection and appropriate interventions. Reading these signs and taking the right steps can make a life-changing difference in your child’s journey.