Autism Diagnosis

Are you concerned that your child might have autism?

An autism diagnosis can help parents and carers better understand a child’s unique needs, including how they communicate and learn. It opens the door to tailored support, specialised resources, and personalised educational plans that can make a big difference in their development. Early identification often leads to better outcomes, helping children build important skills and reach their potential. Seeking a diagnosis is a way to ensure a child gets the understanding and support they need to thrive.

Several early signs may indicate an ASD diagnosis. Here are some of the red flags for autism in a young child:

0-12 months

• Avoidance of or limited eye contact

• Limited smiles or other warm, joyful expressions

• Limited back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles, or other facial expressions

• Any loss of speech, babbling, or social skills

• Flat or inappropriate facial expressions

• Limited babbling

13-24 months

• Unresponsive to their name being called

• No single words

• No two-word spontaneous phrases

• No meaningful, two-word phrases (not including imitating or repeating)

• Any loss of speech, babbling, or social skills

• Flat or inappropriate facial expressions

24 months and over

• Repetitive stimulatory behaviours such as hand flapping, jumping, running back and forth, or repetitive play with toys such as the lining of objects

• Limited response to requests for attention

• Limited social engagement

• Any loss of speech, babbling, or social skills

• Flat or inappropriate facial expressions

• Difficulty understanding or talking about feelings

• Limited interest in objects and toys

• Limited engagement with others during play

• Reduced gestures such as pointing, showing, reaching, or waving