Recognising autism early: signs in the first three years

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that shows itself in the first years through signs such as delayed language, limited imitation, not turning to their name, reduced eye contact, and repetitive behaviours. Recognising it early matters — and one of the most unhelpful approaches is waiting until age three to seek help, or using approaches that aren't suited to a young child.

Changes in play can be an early clue

Many early signs appear in play. Parents often notice their child shows little interest in peers, toys, or what toys are for — what we call 'disrupted play'. Examples include:

• Focusing on details of toys (a car's wheel, a label) rather than the whole
• Turning objects over and over in the hands
• Lining up or collecting toys rather than playing with them
• Not engaging in pretend or symbolic play (e.g. pretending to drink from a cup)

When to seek support

If your child is between 0 and 3 and you notice at least two of the following, it's worth speaking with a specialist:

• Not turning to their name
• Unusual hand movements
• Spinning around themselves
• Using objects for something other than their purpose
• Avoiding eye contact
• Not showing the social-play skills expected for their age