Early Signs of Autism in Babies and What To Do
Dr. Mary Barbera
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Learn the early signs of autism in babies, including lack of eye contact, limited gestures, and delayed communication.
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Discover how to track milestones using tools like the CDC guidelines and M-CHAT screening to spot developmental signs of early autism.
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Understand what actions to take now—even with a baby under 12 months—to support development and potentially prevent an autism diagnosis.
One of the questions I get asked all the time is: What are the early signs of autism in babies? The truth is, early detection and early intervention are critical.
But what if your child is just a baby? What can you do right now? Can you detect autism in babies, or do you have to wait and see?
In this post, I’ll share my personal journey, explain what signs to look for in babies under one year old and beyond, and most importantly—what actions you can take today.
When my firstborn son Lucas started showing signs of autism in the late 1990s, I didn’t know what I was looking at. There was no social media. Very few resources. And honestly, I was in denial.
After his first birthday, Lucas stopped saying “cheese” to the camera. He no longer played the little sing-song games we had taught him. He stopped waving. He became extremely picky with food, and sleep was a big issue too.
My husband, a physician, mentioned the word “autism” when Lucas was just 21 months old—and I told him never to say that word again. But now, looking back, all the signs were there.
That’s why I’m so passionate about helping other parents avoid the wait-and-see trap. There is no benefit to waiting and seeing and whether you are noticing autism in a baby or other delays, early intervention is key.
Below is me and Lucas when he ws just 2.5.
Can You Detect Autism in Babies?
Many people think autism can’t be detected until age two or three. While it’s true that formal diagnoses usually happen later, the signs can begin to emerge much earlier.
When people say “baby,” they can mean anything from newborn to 18 months. And yes—autism can be hard to detect in infants under one year. But that doesn’t mean we do nothing.
I go over 10 early signs of autism here.
Developmental Milestones to Watch (Starting from Birth)
If your baby is under one year old, focus on these early developmental milestones to keep watching if you want to detect autism in babies:
Physical milestones: Rolling over, sitting up, reaching and grabbing toys
Social awareness: Noticing when someone walks into the room
Communication attempts: Babbling, cooing, eye contact, social smiles
Use of gestures: Pointing with the index finger—not just waving the whole hand—should emerge by 12 to 18 months
Around 6 months, babies should be babbling and starting to show interest in back-and-forth interactions. By 9 to 12 months, they should start pointing, following your gaze, and responding to their name.
Tracking milestones from the CDC’s Act Early program and my 10 early signs is a great place to start. You can search “CDC milestones” online and find specific guidance by age.
What About Delays? Don’t Panic, Take Action
If your child is delayed in hitting one or more milestones, don’t panic—but do take action. Reach out to your pediatrician, and contact early intervention near you. Whether your child is showing signs of autism, ADHD, sensory differences, or is just a late bloomer, the strategies I teach will help.
Half of the members in my toddler and preschooler community do not have an autism diagnosis. Many are just concerned parents looking to help their children communicate better, sleep better, eat better, and connect more socially.
Tools to Help: M-CHAT and Milestone Tracking
For children over 16 months old, I recommend taking the M-CHAT screening (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers). It’s a free list of 20+ questions you can download and complete at home. It asks about behaviors like:
Responding to name
Pointing
Showing interest in others
Engaging in pretend play
You can find a video blog I did on the M-CHAT for more support.
What If You Already Have a Child With Autism?
If you already have a child with autism, your next child has a higher risk—around 20%. Many of the signs we’ve identified in babies have come from research on younger siblings. So you want to continue to monitor signs of autism in babies if an older sibling has autism.
If you’re pregnant or have a new baby, consider reaching out to a local teaching hospital to see if they are conducting a sibling study. You might be able to participate and receive closer developmental monitoring.
Worried About Autism in Babies? What you can do.
Here are the steps I recommend if you’re concerned about your baby:
Track developmental milestones from birth.
Download and complete the M-CHAT when your child is old enough (typically after 16 months).
Contact your child’s pediatrician and request an early intervention evaluation.
Avoid the wait-and-see approach—taking action early can only help.
Play social games like peek-a-boo, sing interactive songs, and work on building engagement.
Consider my toddler course for parents and early intervention professionals if your child is between ages 1 and 5.
Take my autism assessment to get customized next steps.
The Importance of Early Intervention for Autism in Babies
Early intervention is absolutely critical when it comes to autism in babies and toddlers. Research shows that the earlier we identify and address developmental delays—especially in areas like communication, social engagement, and play—the better the long-term outcomes for the child.
Early intervention helps build foundational skills during a time when the brain is most adaptable and primed for learning. It can significantly improve language development, reduce challenging behaviors, and increase a child’s ability to interact socially and succeed in everyday environments.
The goal isn’t to wait for a formal diagnosis; it’s to act on concerns as soon as they arise. This is why I wrote my book and created my online courses. Wait lists for a full assessment can be years long!
Whether your child is eventually diagnosed with autism or not, the right kind of early support can make a life-changing difference
Want to Learn how to Increase Talking & Decrease Tantrums in Children with Autism or Toddlers Showing Signs?
Want to start making a difference for your child or clients?
You Are Your Child’s Best Teacher
I never thought it was my job to track milestones—but I now know how important it is. Even if your child is only a baby, you can start helping them develop communication, social, and play skills right now.
Whether you’re dealing with delays due to prematurity, temperament, or a true developmental disorder, the strategies in my book and courses work for autism signs in babies.
You can read Chapter 1 and listen to Chapter 2 for free at turnautismaround.com.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Wait, Take Action
If you’re worried about signs of autism in your baby, don’t ignore your gut. It’s never too early to observe, to engage, and to learn how to support your child.
Taking action now—even if your child is under one—can be the best decision you ever make.
So be brave, stay informed, and let’s work together to turn things around.
Take my assessment today at: www.marybarbera.com/freeassessment
Top 5 FAQ on Autism In Babies
Yes, while a formal autism diagnosis isn’t always made this early, it is possible and, some early signs can emerge as early as 6 months. These may include lack of eye contact, limited social smiling, not responding to name, and delays in gestures like pointing or waving. Tracking milestones and observing your baby’s engagement is key.
Don’t wait—take action. Start by tracking developmental milestones using tools like the CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early” program. If delays are present, take the M-CHAT screening and talk to your pediatrician or an early intervention provider. You can also begin simple social and language activities at home right away with my book or online courses.
Absolutely. Early intervention has been shown to improve communication, social, and behavioral outcomes. Even if your child doesn’t have an autism diagnosis, targeted early strategies can help address delays and support healthy development. Many families in my toddler course have seen significant progress—even avoiding or reversing a diagnosis.
If you have one child with autism, your next child has about a 20% higher risk of also being diagnosed. That’s why close developmental monitoring is so important, especially for younger siblings. Some families may also be eligible to participate in sibling studies at local research hospitals.
Start with my autism assessment at marybarbera.com/freeassessment to get personalized next steps. You can also explore my book Turn Autism Around or join my online toddler course, which is designed to help parents and professionals work with children ages 1–5 showing signs of autism or developmental delays.
Want to Learn how to Increase Talking & Decrease Tantrums in Children with Autism or Toddlers Showing Signs?
Want to start making a difference for your child or clients?
