{"id":2014,"date":"2026-06-03T11:11:14","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T15:11:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.texasabacenters.com\/?p=2014"},"modified":"2026-06-03T11:15:37","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T15:15:37","slug":"early-autism-diagnosis-and-signs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.texasabacenters.com\/es\/blog\/early-autism-diagnosis-and-signs\/","title":{"rendered":"Early Signs of Autism and Early Autism Diagnosis: Why It Matters"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"2014\" class=\"elementor elementor-2014\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5495f19a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5495f19a\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3c480814\" data-id=\"3c480814\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-63342dfe elementor-toc--minimized-on-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-table-of-contents\" data-id=\"63342dfe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;headings_by_tags&quot;:[&quot;h2&quot;],&quot;exclude_headings_by_selector&quot;:[],&quot;no_headings_message&quot;:&quot;No headings were found on this page.&quot;,&quot;marker_view&quot;:&quot;numbers&quot;,&quot;minimize_box&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;minimized_on&quot;:&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;hierarchical_view&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;min_height&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"table-of-contents.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__header\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-toc__header-title\">\n\t\t\t\tTabla de contenidos\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--expand\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__63342dfe\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Abrir la tabla de contenidos\" data-no-translation-aria-label=\"\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-chevron-down\"><\/i><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--collapse\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__63342dfe\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Cerrar la tabla de contenidos\" data-no-translation-aria-label=\"\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"elementor-toc__63342dfe\" class=\"elementor-toc__body\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__spinner-container\">\n\t\t\t\t<i class=\"elementor-toc__spinner eicon-animation-spin eicon-loading\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-333345a4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"333345a4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>When Should I Consider an Early Autism Diagnosis?<\/h2><p>Noticing the <strong>early signs of autism<\/strong> can bring up a lot of emotions at once.<\/p><p>Maybe your toddler is not responding to their name, avoiding eye contact, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.texasabacenters.com\/es\/blog\/toddler-lining-up-toys\/\"><strong>lining up toys<\/strong><\/a>, having big reactions to everyday sounds, or not using words the way other children their age seem to.<\/p><p>These are the moments when many parents begin to ask themselves: <strong>What are the early signs of autism, and when should I consider an early <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.texasabacenters.com\/es\/blog\/entendiendo-el-diagnostico-de-autismo\/\"><strong>diagn\u00f3stico de autismo<\/strong><\/a><strong>?<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>The honest answer is this:<\/strong> you don\u2019t need to prove anything before asking for help if you\u2019re noticing patterns in your child that concern you. Your observations truly matter, and a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.texasabacenters.com\/es\/blog\/pediatrician-and-autism-concerns\/\"><strong>pediatrician<\/strong><\/a> can help with developmental screening, hearing referrals, autism screening, and next steps, if needed.<\/p><p><strong>Early autism diagnosis<\/strong> isn\u2019t about rushing to label a child, but getting clarity fast enough to support communication, development, behavior, and daily life.<\/p><p>En esta gu\u00eda de <a href=\"https:\/\/www.texasabacenters.com\/es\/\"><strong>Texas ABA Centers<\/strong><\/a><strong>,<\/strong> we\u2019ll walk through the early signs of autism, why timing matters, what the M-CHAT screening tool is. We will also explore how families can pursue an autism evaluation and early intervention support.<\/p><h2>What Are the Early Signs of Autism?<\/h2><p>The early signs of autism can look different from child to child. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.texasabacenters.com\/es\/blog\/pasos-a-seguir-despues-de-un-diagnostico-de-autismo\/\"><strong>El trastorno del espectro autista<\/strong><\/a> affects how a child communicates, interacts, plays, and experiences the world around them.<\/p><p>Some signs may appear in infancy, while others become more noticeable during the toddler years.<\/p><p>Parents may notice that their child:<\/p><ul><li><strong>Does not consistently respond to their name<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Uses few or no words for their age<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Does not point to show interest<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Rarely brings objects to share<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Makes limited eye contact<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Seems more interested in objects than people<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Repeats movements, sounds, or actions<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Lines up toys or focuses on parts of objects<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Has strong reactions to sounds, textures, lights, or changes in routine<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Loses words or social skills they previously used<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><p>At home, this may not always look obvious at first.<\/p><p>For example, the child may hear a favorite song from another room but not turn when you call their name. They may know how to get what they want but struggle to point, wave, imitate, or share attention. They may have meltdowns during transitions that seem small to everyone else, like leaving the house.<\/p><p>These moments can be confusing for parents because they may look like stubbornness, shyness, or \u201cselective listening.\u201d But when these patterns occur frequently and across different settings, they may indicate developmental differences worth discussing with a professional.<\/p><h2>Why Early Autism Diagnosis Matters<\/h2><p>For many families, an early diagnosis can open the door to treatment and support during a developmental window when children may benefit most from intervention.<\/p><p>La <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/autism\/hcp\/diagnosis\/screening.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics<\/strong><\/a> also emphasize the importance of developmental monitoring and autism-specific screening during early childhood.<\/p><p>This does not mean every child with a delay has autism. Some children are late talkers. Some children have hearing concerns. Some children need speech therapy, occupational therapy, or developmental support for reasons unrelated to autism.<\/p><p>Delaying next steps can sometimes leave families without the clarity or support they need.<\/p><p>An early autism diagnosis can help parents understand why certain behaviors occur.<\/p><p>For example, a child who becomes overwhelmed in a grocery store may not be \u201cacting out.\u201d They may be struggling with sensory input, communication, or emotional regulation.<\/p><p>A child who does not answer when called may not be ignoring you. They may be having difficulty processing social cues.<\/p><p>With a clearer understanding, families can stop guessing and start building support around the child\u2019s actual needs.<\/p><h2>What Is Autism Screening?<\/h2><p>Autism screening is a brief process that helps determine if a child may need further evaluation for autism. It usually begins with a pediatrician asking parents or caregivers about the child&#8217;s behaviors, communication, play, and social interactions.<\/p><p>Depending on the child&#8217;s age and presentation, a standard screening tool may be used to collect this information and identify potential signs warranting a more detailed assessment. Screening is not the same as a diagnosis; it simply helps decide whether more comprehensive testing is appropriate.<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aap.org\/en\/patient-care\/autism\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>The American Academy of Pediatrics<\/strong><\/a> recommends autism-specific screening at 18 and 24 months, along with regular developmental surveillance. The CDC also explains that developmental screening may be conducted by healthcare professionals, school professionals, or community professionals.<\/p><p>During screening, a pediatrician may ask questions about your child\u2019s communication, play, social interaction, behavior, and developmental milestones. In some cases, they may use standardized questionnaires to collect consistent data about your child&#8217;s development.<\/p><p>You may also be asked to observe and report specific behaviors or to complete a checklist before or during the visit. The information gathered helps the pediatrician decide if a referral for evaluation is needed.<\/p><p>This is where your parent observations are especially important.<\/p><p>Before the appointment, write down specific examples, such as:<\/p><ul><li>\u201cMy child rarely turns when I call their name\u201d<\/li><li>\u201cMy child does not point to show me things\u201d<\/li><li>\u201cMy child used to say words but stopped\u201d<\/li><li>\u201cMy child has intense meltdowns during transitions\u201d<\/li><li>\u201cMy child reacts strongly to certain sounds or textures\u201d<\/li><\/ul><p>Specific examples help your pediatrician understand the pattern, not just one isolated behavior.<\/p><h2>What Is the M-CHAT Screening Tool?<\/h2><p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.texasabacenters.com\/es\/blog\/m-chat-screening-tool\/\">The M-CHAT<\/a><\/strong>, also known as the M-CHAT-R\/F, is a widely used autism screening tool for toddlers.<\/p><p>M-CHAT stands for Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers. It is a parent questionnaire designed to help identify children who may need a more comprehensive <a href=\"https:\/\/www.texasabacenters.com\/es\/blog\/autism-evaluation-timeline\/\"><strong>autism evaluation<\/strong><\/a>, with 20 yes-or-no questions.<\/p><p>The tool is intended for toddlers aged 16-30 months and asks questions about behaviors such as pointing, pretend play, response to name, social interest, and communication.<\/p><p>The M-CHAT screening tool does not diagnose autism. Instead, it helps determine whether a child may be at a higher risk for autism and should receive additional follow-up.<\/p><p>This distinction matters. A screening result is not a final answer. It is a guide for what should happen next.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ac36a50 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ac36a50\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.texasabacenters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Early-Autism-Diagnosis-and-Signs-Blog-Image-2-1024x576.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2017\" alt=\"Parent comforting a young child at home while learning about early autism diagnosis, autism screening, and early intervention support.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.texasabacenters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Early-Autism-Diagnosis-and-Signs-Blog-Image-2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.texasabacenters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Early-Autism-Diagnosis-and-Signs-Blog-Image-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.texasabacenters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Early-Autism-Diagnosis-and-Signs-Blog-Image-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.texasabacenters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Early-Autism-Diagnosis-and-Signs-Blog-Image-2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.texasabacenters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Early-Autism-Diagnosis-and-Signs-Blog-Image-2-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.texasabacenters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Early-Autism-Diagnosis-and-Signs-Blog-Image-2.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" title=\"\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-985bb0c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"985bb0c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>How to Talk to Your Pediatrician About Autism Concerns<\/h2><p>If you are nervous about bringing up autism, that is understandable. Many parents worry they will seem dramatic, or they hope their child will simply \u201cgrow out of it.\u201d<\/p><p>But pediatricians often hear these concerns, and you are allowed to ask direct questions.<\/p><p>You might say:<\/p><p>\u201cI\u2019ve noticed some early signs of autism, and I\u2019d like to talk through them\u201d<br \/>\u201cCan we complete an autism screening?\u201d<br \/>\u201cWould the M-CHAT screening tool be appropriate for my child?\u201d<br \/>\u201cShould we consider a referral for an autism evaluation?\u201d<br \/>\u201cShould we also rule out hearing or speech concerns?\u201d<\/p><p>You do not have to walk into the appointment with answers. Your job is to share what you are seeing. Your pediatrician\u2019s job is to help guide the next step.<\/p><p>If your concerns continue after the visit, it is also okay to ask for a referral, request another screening, or seek a comprehensive autism evaluation from a qualified provider.<\/p><h2>What Happens During an Autism Evaluation?<\/h2><p>An autism evaluation is more detailed than a screening. Autism is not diagnosed through a medical test, such as a blood test. Instead, diagnosis relies on a comprehensive look at a child\u2019s developmental history and behavior.<\/p><p>An autism evaluation may include parent interviews, developmental history, direct observation, standardized assessment tools, and review of communication, play, social interaction, and behavior patterns.<\/p><p>The goal is not to reduce your child to a checklist. The goal is to understand how your child communicates, learns, responds, connects, and experiences the world. For many families, an autism evaluation can bring relief. Even when the results feel emotional, answers can provide direction.<\/p><h2>How ABA Therapy and Early Intervention Can Help<\/h2><p>If a child receives an autism diagnosis, early intervention for autism can make a meaningful difference.<\/p><p><strong>El An\u00e1lisis del Comportamiento Aplicado,<\/strong> (ABA) therapy is commonly used to support children with autism by teaching skills in a structured, individualized way. ABA therapy may focus on communication, social engagement, play skills, daily routines, emotional regulation, and reducing frustration-related behaviors.<\/p><p>For example, ABA therapy can help a child learn how to request what they need, respond to their name, tolerate transitions, build play skills, or use safer ways to communicate when overwhelmed.<\/p><p>The goal of ABA is not to change who a child is. The goal is to help them build skills that support independence, connection, and everyday quality of life.<\/p><h2>Taking the Next Step Toward Clarity with Texas ABA Centers<\/h2><p>If you are noticing the early signs of autism, you are not overreacting. You are paying attention.<\/p><p>Some children develop on their own timeline. Others need extra support. Either way, early autism diagnosis can help families move from worry to direction.<\/p><p>En <a href=\"https:\/\/www.texasabacenters.com\/es\/servicios-del-autismo\/\"><strong>Texas ABA Centers<\/strong><\/a>, we support families through diagnostic testing, early intervention, and ABA therapy for children with autism. Our team helps families better understand their child\u2019s needs and take meaningful next steps with confidence.<\/p><p>Ready for answers? Call <strong>Texas ABA Centers<\/strong> at (877) 771-5725 or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.texasabacenters.com\/es\/contactanos\/\"><strong>cont\u00e1ctanos en l\u00ednea<\/strong><\/a><strong>.<\/strong><\/p><p>Take the first step\u2014support starts here.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-11bd545 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"11bd545\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/www.texasabacenters.com\/es\/servicios-del-autismo\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Explora Nuestros Servicios de Atenci\u00f3n para el Autismo<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Early signs of autism can bring up big questions for families. Learning about screening, diagnosis, and early intervention can help parents better understand their child\u2019s needs.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":2016,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[267,261,256,260,257],"class_list":["post-2014","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","tag-early-autism-diagnosis","tag-autism-evaluation","tag-autism-screening","tag-early-signs-of-autism","tag-m-chat-screening-tool"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.texasabacenters.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2014","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.texasabacenters.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.texasabacenters.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.texasabacenters.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.texasabacenters.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2014"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.texasabacenters.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2014\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.texasabacenters.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2016"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.texasabacenters.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2014"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.texasabacenters.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2014"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.texasabacenters.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2014"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}