Resources

How to Teach Children with Autism to Respond to Their Name

Dr. Mary Barbera

  • ✅ When should a child respond to their name?
    Most babies begin responding between 4–9 months—if your toddler isn’t, it could be a red flag worth exploring.
  • Not responding to their name is a sign of autism explored on the MCHAT and ADOS autism assessments. 
  • 🎯 Stop saying their name with demands.
    Overusing your child’s name for “no” or “stop” can accidentally make it something they tune out. Instead, pair it with fun and reinforcement.
  • 💡 3-step strategy to improve name response.
    From stopping negative pairing to structured trials with positive rewards—these proven techniques can help your child respond more consistently.

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As a behavior analyst, registered nurse, and mom of a son with autism, I know how stressful it can be when your baby or toddler doesn’t respond to their name. You might be wondering—is it a hearing issue? Is it typical? Or could it be a red flag for autism?

In this blog, I’ll share when most children should respond to their name, how to gently teach this important skill, and what to do if your child is not responding consistently.

teach name response. Responding to name and autism.

🧠 Why Responding to Name Is So Important

Responding to one’s name is one of the earliest social communication milestones. It shows that your child is starting to connect, attend, and understand that other people are speaking directly to them. If your child isn’t responding consistently, it may be an early sign of:

Don’t panic—but do take action. Early intervention can make a big difference and I have a lot of resources for teaching name response and other skills.

📅 When Do Typical Children Start Responding to Their Name?

Most typically developing children begin responding to their name between 4 and 9 months of age. By their first birthday, most children consistently turn their head or make eye contact when their name is called in a quiet setting.

If your child is over 12 months old and frequently doesn’t respond when you call their name, even when you’re close by and there aren’t distractions, it’s time to take a closer look. This doesn’t necessarily mean autism—but it is a good reason to monitor and consider next steps. The MCHAT may be a helpful tool for looking deeper into signs of autism. 

🚫 Step 1: Stop Overusing the Child’s Name

When I first started ABA therapy with my son Lucas in the late 1990s, I was told something that changed everything: Stop using his name for commands, corrections, or negative situations.

If you’re constantly saying “Johnny, no!” or “Johnny, sit down!” or “Johnny, stop that,” you may be accidentally teaching your child that their name means something negative is about to happen. This will make a child stop responding to their name.

Whether you’re a parent or a professional, this is a critical first step. Use the child’s name only when you’re delivering something positive.

💬 Step 2: Pair Their Name with Fun and Reinforcement

Once you’ve stopped using the child’s name negatively, it’s time to re-teach name response in a positive way. Here’s how:

  • Say the child’s name only when they’re smiling, happy, or engaging in something they enjoy

  • Pair their name with positive experiences, like tickles, bubbles, songs, or a favorite snack

  • Use an animated, friendly voice when saying their name

  • Keep the interaction short and fun

Example: You’re pushing your child on a swing and they’re smiling. You say, “Push! Johnny! Whee!” while continuing the fun. That creates a positive connection to their name and will likely improve their name response. 

🎯 Step 3: Create Structured Name Trials

If your child still isn’t responding consistently, you may need to be more intentional:

  • Stand behind or beside your child while they’re engaged in a mildly preferred activity

  • Say their name in a warm tone and gently touch their shoulder if needed

  • Immediately follow this with a strong reinforcer: bubbles, snacks, tickles, songs

  • Track 10 trials per day using a simple piece of paper

  • Slowly fade prompts and reinforcement as the child becomes more responsive

Over time, you can increase your distance and reduce how often you reward, but only after your child is responding 90% or more of the time.

name response. responding to name. autism signs name response.

🔎 What If This Is Just One of Many Concerns?

If your child is not only not responding to their name, but also not talking, tantruming often, or not following simple directions, this might be just one of many signs and things you will want to start working on. 

The good news is, you don’t have to figure this out alone.

🎯 Take the Barbera Early Childhood Assessment (BECA)™, a low-cost tool to quickly identify what skills are missing and where to start.

👉 Click here to take the BECA

📘 Want to Learn More?

In my best-selling book, Turn Autism Around, and my online course for toddlers and preschoolers, I teach parents and professionals how to improve name response, language, tantrums, picky eating, and more—whether or not the child has an autism diagnosis.

You can download the first two chapters for free and start learning today.

👉 Get your free book chapters and resources

💬 Final Thoughts on Responding to Name 

Name response is more than just a cute skill—it’s the foundation for communication, learning, and safety. The earlier we teach it in a gentle, positive way, the easier everything else becomes.

And remember: It’s never too early and never too late to take action.

If this blog was helpful, leave a comment, share it with a friend, and let me know how your child is doing!

For more tips on how to teach your client or child with autism to respond to their name, be sure to get your free naming cheat sheet here.

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?

I’m Ready to Learn!

Top 5 FAQ on Teaching a Child to Respond to Their Name

Most typically developing children begin responding to their name by 4–9 months. By 12 months, it should be consistent. If your child isn’t responding by their first birthday, it’s a good idea to take further steps.

If your child isn’t responding by 12 months, it may indicate a developmental delay or autism. While this is not always the case, it’s important to monitor other behaviors and seek professional advice if needed.

You can start improving this skill and other skills with my online courses. Take a free workshop today! 

Using a child’s name in negative contexts, like “Johnny, no!” or “Johnny, stop that!” can cause them to associate their name with something unpleasant. This makes it harder for them to respond positively when you call them.

Follow my 3 step name response approach

Start by pairing their name with positive experiences—like playing, tickling, or enjoying bubbles. Then, use a structured trial system to increase their name response. Gradually, reduce the reinforcement as they become more consistent.

Once your child responds to their name 90% of the time, it’s time to begin fading out the reinforcement and distance. This means you can start calling their name from further away and reduce the frequency of treats or rewards.

Ready to Start Turning Autism (or Signs of Autism) Around?
Ready to Start Turning Autism
(or Signs of Autism) Around?

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