Helping Children Meet Their Full Potential Faster
Something feels different about your child.
Maybe they're not talking like other kids their age. Maybe they ignore you when you call their name. Maybe they line up toys instead of playing with them. Or they get completely overwhelmed at birthday parties.
If you're looking for autism testing in Troy, Michigan, recognizing the early signs is the first step. An early autism evaluation can help identify your child's strengths, challenges, and the support they may benefit from.
You've seen posts on parenting blogs. You've compared your child to others. And now you're sitting with this question:
Could my child be autistic?
Here's the truth: Early identification changes everything. Not because there's anything "wrong" with autism. But because early support—whether it's speech therapy, occupational therapy, or ABA—works so much better when started young.
This guide helps you understand the early signs of autism, what's normal child variation and what's concerning, and when to reach out for evaluation.
Autism is diagnosed using DSM-5 diagnostic criteria through a comprehensive clinical evaluation that includes developmental history, standardized assessments, and professional observation.
Key things to know:
Autism is a spectrum—it shows up differently in every child
Some autistic children are nonverbal; others are very verbal
Autism isn't caused by parenting, vaccines, or anything you did
Autism is lifelong, but early support improves outcomes significantly
What autism looks like:
Differences in social communication and interaction
Repetitive movements or behaviors
Intense, narrow interests
Unusual sensory responses
A child needs to show patterns in both communication and behavior to receive an autism diagnosis.
Before we get into the signs, let's talk about why this matters.
Research shows:
Children evaluated before age 3 show significantly better outcomes in language, social skills, and independence.
Early support helps prevent communication patterns from becoming harder to change.
The younger brain is more adaptable—intervention works faster.
A 2-year-old's brain is still dramatically plastic, changing and adapting. A 6-year-old's patterns are more established. Progress takes longer.
This doesn't mean older kids can't improve. They can. But the early window is powerful.
Early Signs by Age Group
Ages 12-18 Months
Typically developing children at this age:
Babble using sounds like "ba ba ba" or "da da da"
Respond to their name
Point at things to show you
Make eye contact regularly
Are interested in other people
Red flags that warrant evaluation:
Communication:
Not babbling or using sounds
Not responding to their name when called
Not pointing or gesturing
Not making sounds to get your attention
Social interaction:
No interest in playing with parents
Avoiding eye contact
Not showing you things
Seeming withdrawn or in their own world
Behavior/Sensory:
Repetitive movements (hand flapping, spinning)
Unusual sensory responses (covering ears at normal sounds)
Focusing only on unusual objects rather than toys
Trouble with transitions
Important note: Some 12-18-month-olds are independent. Some are speech-delayed without autism. Late talkers aren't automatically autistic. But combinations of the above warrant a conversation with your pediatrician.
Ages 18-24 Months
Use 15-50+ words
Start combining words ("more milk," "mommy up")
Begin pretend play
Are interested in other kids
Red flags at 18-24 months:
Language:
Fewer than 10 words at 18 months
Fewer than 50 words at 24 months
Not combining words by 24 months
Losing words they previously said
Social/Play:
No interest in other children
Not pretending to play (only lining up or spinning toys)
Doesn't point to sharing things with you
Doesn't imitate your actions
Repetitive/Restricted behaviors:
Ages 2-3 Years
Typically developing children:
Use 50-200+ words
Form simple sentences
Play with other kids (alongside them, interested)
Understand and follow 2-step directions
Red flags at 2-3 years:
Language:
Fewer than 50 words total
Not combining words into phrases
Not understanding questions
Speech that's hard to understand (beyond typical toddler speech)
Not using words to communicate needs
Social:
Minimal interest in other children
Doesn't engage in back-and-forth games
Difficulty making eye contact
Doesn't respond to their name
Play/Imagination:
All play is repetitive (lining up cars, spinning objects)
No pretend play
Only wants to play with one or two specific toys
Focused on parts of toys rather than using them functionally
Behavior/Sensory:
Repetitive movements that persist
Strong sensory preferences (covers ears, refuses soft textures)
Needs things in a specific order or gets very upset
Upset by small changes
Ages 3-5 Years
Typically developing children:
Use complex sentences
Ask why, where, and when questions
Play cooperatively with peers
Have diverse interests
Show appropriate emotional responses
Red flags at 3-5 years:
Social:
Difficulty making and keeping friendships
Doesn't understand social rules (personal space, turn-taking)
Trouble reading other people's emotions
Prefers solitary play
Doesn't engage in back-and-forth conversation
Communication:
Speech that's grammatically unusual or robotic
Difficulty with conversation (talks at people rather than with them)
Not asking questions or seeking information
Interests/Behavior:
Intense, narrow interests (knows everything about one topic)
Needs sameness (same breakfast, same route, same clothes)
Repetitive movements that are frequent and noticeable
Unusual sensory seeking or avoidance
Many conditions look like autism but aren't. Getting the right diagnosis means your child gets the right help.
Speech delay only:
Child understands language, follows directions, and is interested in peers
Just doesn't talk much yet
Often catches up with speech therapy alone
Shyness or social anxiety:
Child wants to interact but feels anxious around new people
Does interact once comfortable
Plays normally, understands social rules
No repetitive behaviors
ADHD:
The child is social and interested in peers
Language is typically developing
Impulsivity and hyperactivity are primary concerns
No autism-specific repetitive behaviors
Sensory processing differences:
The child has strong sensory preferences but develops typically otherwise
Social and communication skills are normal\
Flexible with routines
A single concern does not always mean autism. Many children develop at different rates, and one isolated behavior is often part of typical development.
Usually considered normal variation:
Your 2-year-old isn't talking much but understands, plays, and enjoys being with others.
Your 3-year-old is shy around new people but becomes comfortable over time.
Your child dislikes loud noises but doesn't have other sensory challenges.
Your child sometimes prefers to play alone but also enjoys interacting with family and friends.
When it's time to consider an autism evaluation:
Speech delays combined with social withdrawal and repetitive play.
Limited or no language along with little interest in peers and repetitive behaviors.
Speech delays combined with difficulty handling transitions and unusual sensory responses.
The overall pattern of behaviors is more important than any single sign. If your child shows concerns across multiple developmental areas, it's a good idea to discuss them with your pediatrician or schedule a comprehensive autism evaluation.
Step 1: Trust your gut
If you're reading this and thinking, "That sounds like my kid," listen to that instinct. Parents know their children better than anyone.
Step 2: Talk to your pediatrician
Describe what you've observed specifically: "She doesn't respond when I call her name" rather than "She seems different." Ask if they recommend a developmental evaluation.
Step 3: Request an evaluation
You can schedule an evaluation with Caliber Autism or another autism evaluation provider. Your pediatrician can help guide you through the process.
Step 4: What an evaluation looks like
Detailed history from you (your child's development, behavior, concerns)
Observation of your child
Standardized autism assessment tools (ADOS-2, CARS, ADI-R)
Written report with results and recommendations
Total process: 1-2 weeks from intake to results.
Step 5: What comes after
If you have an autism diagnosis, you can access services: therapy, school support, and potentially Medicaid benefits
If no diagnosis, you still get recommendations for support in whatever area your child needs help.
The Evaluation Timeline
Phone intake (15-20 minutes):
Describe your concerns
Schedule appointment
Answer insurance questions
In-person intake appointment (1-2 hours):
The clinician gathers detailed information about your child's developmental history
Review any previous evaluations or school records
Discuss concerns in detail
Assessment day (3-4 hours):
Your child participates in structured activities
Clinician observes communication, social interaction, and play skills using standardized assessment methods
Takes notes and scores assessments
Results meeting (30-60 minutes):
Clinician presents findings
Explains what diagnosis means
Discusses recommendations
Costs: Evaluation costs vary. Many private insurance plans and Medicaid may cover some or all of the evaluation. Contact Caliber Autism to verify your benefits before scheduling.
Delaying an evaluation may postpone access to services and support that could benefit your child's development.
Here's what happens when families wait:
Language patterns get stuck: A 2-year-old with a speech delay can catch up quickly with therapy. A 5-year-old with established patterns takes longer.
Social patterns solidify: Young kids who withdraw from peers can learn engagement. Older kids who've isolated take longer to build peer skills.
Anxiety increases: As kids get older and become aware they're different, this can lead to anxiety and school struggles.
Families get more stressed: Years of not knowing what's wrong, comparing themselves to peers, wondering if they're failing as parents.
Early evaluation doesn't mean you're overreacting. It means you're getting clarity and help when it matters most.
Next Steps
If you've been wondering or worrying about your child's development, you're not alone—your instinct matters.
If you have concerns about your child's development, speak with your pediatrician or contact Caliber Autism to learn more about the evaluation process.
Early support—whether your child is autistic or has a different developmental need—makes all the difference.
