Concerned about the growth of your toddler? Understanding common habits might help allay your worries. To help you better understand your toddler's development and milestones, here are five telltale indicators that signs your toddler is not autistic.
You might feel more at ease if you know the telltale indicators that your kid is not autistic. For example, if your kid answers to their name, exhibits empathy, and participates in age-appropriate social interactions, these are all signs of regular development. If you have any concerns, it is advised that you see your doctor on a regular basis.
What is autism?
Let's first clarify what autism is before moving on to the symptoms. The neurological illness known as autism, or autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), is characterized by limited or repetitive activities, difficulties with social interaction, and communication difficulties. It's important to keep in mind that autism is a spectrum condition, which means that each individual will have symptoms that differ greatly in intensity and appearance.
Read Also: When Should You Stop Holding Your Toddler?
| Age |
Pretend Play Milestones |
| 18-24 months |
Simple pretend play, such as feeding a doll or making a toy car “drive.” |
| 24-36 months |
More complex pretend play, like setting up a tea party or playing “doctor.” |
1. Age-Related Social Exchanges
The capacity of your child to participate in social interactions that are suitable for their age is one of the most encouraging indicators that they do not have autism. Your kid may react to social signals by making eye contact during discussions or smiling back when you smile at them. Additionally, they could begin to comprehend and abide by basic social norms, like as sharing toys or taking turns with signs your toddler is not autistic.
Compared to toddlers with autism, normally developing toddlers had higher levels of social engagement and joint attention activities, according to a research published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
2. Improving Linguistic Proficiency
Your toddler's language development is another important clue that they do not have autism. The majority of normally growing toddlers will begin babbling and using single words around the age of 12 months, while each kid grows at their own speed. As they mature, they start to articulate their needs and desires using basic words and sentences.
Your kid is not autistic if they are regularly meeting these language milestones and communicating with you and other people via language. However, it's crucial to speak with a speech-language pathologist or your physician if you see notable language development delays or regressions.
Must Read: What are some developmental reasons that a child may not engage with a toy?
3. Exhibiting Compassion and Love
Emotional abilities like empathy and understanding the feelings of others are often shown by toddlers without autism. They could provide consolation to a friend or sibling who is sobbing or express worry when someone seems distressed. They often use physical expressions like cuddling, kisses, and embraces to show their devotion.
4. Acting out scenarios
Toddlers with regular development also excel at pretend play and creative activities. They like putting themselves and other people in roles, enacting scenes, and utilizing toys as props. Children that engage in this kind of play are better able to solve problems, be creative, and communicate with others.
5. Addressing Their Name
Finally, the capacity of your child to consistently reply to their name when called is a key indicator that they are not autistic. Toddlers that are normally developing will acknowledge their name by turning their head, making eye contact, or signs your toddler is not autistic.
Thomas Hardy
Concerned about the growth of your toddler? Understanding common habits might help allay your worries. To help you better understand your toddler's development and milestones, here are five telltale indicators that signs your toddler is not autistic.
You might feel more at ease if you know the telltale indicators that your kid is not autistic. For example, if your kid answers to their name, exhibits empathy, and participates in age-appropriate social interactions, these are all signs of regular development. If you have any concerns, it is advised that you see your doctor on a regular basis.
What is autism?
Let's first clarify what autism is before moving on to the symptoms. The neurological illness known as autism, or autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), is characterized by limited or repetitive activities, difficulties with social interaction, and communication difficulties. It's important to keep in mind that autism is a spectrum condition, which means that each individual will have symptoms that differ greatly in intensity and appearance.
Read Also: When Should You Stop Holding Your Toddler?
1. Age-Related Social Exchanges
The capacity of your child to participate in social interactions that are suitable for their age is one of the most encouraging indicators that they do not have autism. Your kid may react to social signals by making eye contact during discussions or smiling back when you smile at them. Additionally, they could begin to comprehend and abide by basic social norms, like as sharing toys or taking turns with signs your toddler is not autistic.
Compared to toddlers with autism, normally developing toddlers had higher levels of social engagement and joint attention activities, according to a research published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
2. Improving Linguistic Proficiency
Your toddler's language development is another important clue that they do not have autism. The majority of normally growing toddlers will begin babbling and using single words around the age of 12 months, while each kid grows at their own speed. As they mature, they start to articulate their needs and desires using basic words and sentences.
Your kid is not autistic if they are regularly meeting these language milestones and communicating with you and other people via language. However, it's crucial to speak with a speech-language pathologist or your physician if you see notable language development delays or regressions.
Must Read: What are some developmental reasons that a child may not engage with a toy?
3. Exhibiting Compassion and Love
Emotional abilities like empathy and understanding the feelings of others are often shown by toddlers without autism. They could provide consolation to a friend or sibling who is sobbing or express worry when someone seems distressed. They often use physical expressions like cuddling, kisses, and embraces to show their devotion.
4. Acting out scenarios
Toddlers with regular development also excel at pretend play and creative activities. They like putting themselves and other people in roles, enacting scenes, and utilizing toys as props. Children that engage in this kind of play are better able to solve problems, be creative, and communicate with others.
5. Addressing Their Name
Finally, the capacity of your child to consistently reply to their name when called is a key indicator that they are not autistic. Toddlers that are normally developing will acknowledge their name by turning their head, making eye contact, or signs your toddler is not autistic.