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April 28, 2022 · 2 Comments

What are the Signs of Autism at Age 2?

Parents

The signs of autism at age 2 are subtle, but not if you know what you’re looking for.

Signs of autism at age 2
Here are the signs of autism at 2 years old.
Table Of Contents
  1. Early signs of autism in toddlers
    • Interacting with parents and other people
    • Autistic toddler playtime
    • Early toddler behavior on the autism spectrum
      • Stimming
      • Special interests are not to be confused with hobbies
  2. Frequently asked questions about early signs of autism at age 2
  3. Resources about Autism for Parents

Early signs of autism in toddlers

Here are traits of autism in toddlers to be on the lookout for so you can empathize with your child sooner.

Interacting with parents and other people

Make sure to rule out hearing loss or Deafness with your child’s pediatrician.

Autistic traits in toddlers when interacting with other people include:

  • little to no eye contact when someone is speaking, or they are speaking to you
  • limited or no speech, gestures and sounds
  • little attention-seeking behavior, like pointing to objects and events, or seeking approval for drawings and block-building
  • little response to parent’s smile or other facial expressions and body language
  • interrupts other people when talking
  • behaves better with routine
  • quietly approaches people and doesn’t say anything
  • has favorite or preferred people

Autistic toddler playtime

Toddlers on the autism spectrum may not play with other children the same way. Autistic traits include:

  • doesn’t care about playing with other children, or awkwardly approaches other kids
  • prefers to play alone, or engage in parallel play
  • plays with toys differently, by lining them up or sorting colors

Early toddler behavior on the autism spectrum

  • stimming, e.g. flapping hands, flicking fingers, pacing back and forth
  • struggles to follow where you’re pointing
  • special interests that mimic obsessions, not to be confused with hobbies
  • unusual visual fixations

Stimming

Everyone engages in self-stimulatory behavior, but autistic people stim on a regular basis. In toddlers, this may look like:

  • flapping hands
  • flicking fingers
  • pacing back and forth
  • rocking or swaying
  • chewing on certain toys or fabrics
  • smelling certain items repeatedly
  • twirling
  • playing with hair
  • going out of their way to stare at specific objects (visual stimming)

When performed on a regular, repeated basis, stimming may be an early sign of autism. Most stimming behaviors are harmless, but dangerous behaviors should be replaced with safer stims.

If your child is banging their head, that is communicative behavior.

However, if your toddler is smelling everyone’s seats after they stand up, give them a wax melt or candle they really like to replace their awkward, inappropriate sensory need. Growing up to learn you did this as a child while everyone else laughed, judged and stared at you is traumatizing.

Special interests are not to be confused with hobbies

Unlike hobbies, autistic special interests are obsessive fascinations.

Your toddler’s obsession with the Frozen franchise is not a good comparison. A child’s identity doesn’t stabilize until age nine.

Autistic special interests in toddlers will look more like:

  • having a favorite or preferred person to be around out of everyone else they see the most
  • needing one specific cup, plate, bowl, etc. to eat with
  • repeatedly playing with one specific toy

Frequently asked questions about early signs of autism at age 2

Can a toddler or child overcome autism?

No. Autistic children cannot “overcome” autism, because there is nothing to overcome. Autism is a neurological development disorder; it’s a different neurotype that your child was born with and will have for the rest of their life. Anyone who promises to cure or treat an autistic child’s symptoms is lying. All this does is encourage the autistic mask, which drives them straight to burnout and negative mental health.

How early does autism show up?

Noticing autism traits as a non-autistic person may mean you don’t recognize early signs of autism until they grow more obvious and obnoxious. Autistic traits can show up in children as early as 12 months, but other autistic traits may not be obvious until 3 years of age or older. Many autistic girls do not receive diagnosis until they’re older.

Autism spectrum disorder tests and quizzes will give you an idea of whether your two-year-old is autistic. Reading the stories and watching videos of actually autistic people on social media will provide you with greater insight into the life of autistic people that you won’t find reading medical journals.

Are you considered about behaviors with your toddler? Share about it in the comments below.

Resources about Autism for Parents

5 Ways to Help an Autistic Picky Eater Expand Their Diet

7 Tips for Helping Your Autistic Child Go to Sleep

5 Strategies to Manage Autistic Screaming

Signs of Autism at Age 3

Signs of Autism at Age 1

Click here for a free PDF printable checklist of the 7 steps to take when your child needs residential treatment.

What are the Signs of Autism at age 2?

About Jane E. Lively

Jane E. Lively is an autistic adult whose life fell apart due to autistic burnout, during her second year of independence. She considers herself a cat mom to Galaxy, her emotional support cat. She shares what life is like as an autistic adult on her blog, Autistic Jane.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nadera says

    November 26, 2022 at 1:53 pm

    Hi, I have a child in the nursery his very quiet he play by him self with cars and blocks and others toy he likes to play with 2favourite friends very kind boy smile happy but he doesn’t talk he call staff by her name he aet well and sleep well. He has sign of autism but his very calm boy

    Reply
    • Jane E. Lively says

      December 4, 2022 at 5:25 am

      A common misconception is that autistic kids must be hyperactive. This is why many autistic kids get diagnosed, but they can be quiet and calm as well!

      Autistic is a spectrum, like a circle, not a straight line. An autistic person may be all over the circle spectrum growing up and we’ll into adulthood. There is no one representation of autism. 💖

      Reply

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For informational purposes only. Not intended to replace medical advice.