The parents carefully watch their babies as they grow. Between 9 and 12 months, babies learn several new social, communication, or movement skills. They may start using simple gestures, responding to their name, copying sounds, playing social games, or showing interest in people. Some babies may also show early signs that are associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
These signs can appear in the first two years, but each child develops at their own pace. One unusual behavior doesn’t mean a child has autism. But if parents notice concerns. They should talk with a pediatrician to better understand their child’s development or get help early.
What Are the Signs of Autism at 9-12 Months?
No one sign can tell if a baby has autism. Doctors look at how a baby talks or replies to people, uses gestures, makes sounds, or behaves.
Here are some signs parents may notice throughout this age:
1: Limited Eye Contact
Most babies look at their parents or caregivers throughout everyday actions. They may look at a parent while eating, smile during play, or look at someone while they speak. Some babies who later show signs of autism may look at faces or eyes less frequently. But each baby is different, so limited eye contact does not always mean there is a problem.
Parents can watch for signs, such as:
- Rarely watching people’s faces.
- Not looking at a parent when spoken to.
- Making eye contact for only a brief time.
- Showing little interest in faces throughout play.
Having limited eye contact along with other communication or social changes. Limited eye contact by itself doesn’t mean a baby has autism. If you have concerns, then talk with your child’s pediatrician and consider their overall development.
2: Not Responding to Their Name
By about 12 months, most babies start to reply when you call their name. They may look at you or smile, make a sound, or come closer.
- Does not respond: The baby may frequently overlook their name or not look to you.
- Check hearing: A hearing problem can also make it tough for a baby to respond.
- Look for repeated signs: Missing their name once is normal. But if it happens often, it may need attention.
- Talk to a doctor: A doctor can check the baby’s hearing and development.
- If your baby frequently doesn’t respond to their name, then also watch their other social or communication skills. Talking to a doctor promptly can help you know what may be causing it.
3: Few Gestures
Previously, babies can talk; they frequently use gestures to communicate. Between 9 and 12 months, babies may wave goodbye or point to things they need, reach for objects, give toys to others, or show things they find interesting. These actions help them talk with people around them.
Some babies may use very few gestures. If a baby doesn’t often wave, point, reach for, or show objects by 12 months, it may be worth speaking with a pediatrician, especially if the baby also shows little interest in people or social interaction.
4: Limited Back-and-Forth Interaction
Babies communicate in various ways, not just with words. They may look, smile, make sounds, reach, or move to react to parents and others.
- Few responses: The baby may not frequently smile back, make sounds, or respond when somebody talks to them.
- Less interaction: The baby may not frequently try to get somebody’s attention or keep playing with them.
- Little sharing: The baby may not frequently look at people or show them things.
- Each baby grows at their own pace. If you notice these signs repeatedly, then talk with your baby’s doctor for guidance and support.
5: Less Babbling or Fewer Communication Sounds
By about 12 months, many babies make sounds like “ma,” “ba,” or “da.” They may repeat these sounds when playing, speaking to parents, or trying to get attention. Babies may also make sounds when they are pleased, excited, or need something.
If a baby makes very few sounds, rarely babbles, or doesn’t use sounds to interact with others, it may be a sign to watch their development more closely. Each baby grows at their own pace, so fewer sounds don’t always mean there is a problem. But if you notice other communication anxieties or your baby stops using skills they previously had, then talk to your child’s doctor.
6: Limited Showing or Sharing of Interest
At 9-12 months, babies frequently start showing things they like to their parents. They may hold up a toy, look at something interesting, or move an object to a parent. This helps them share their interests and connect with others. If a baby rarely tries to show or share things, then it may be a sign to watch, especially if there are other communication concerns.
- Rarely shows things: The baby may not frequently hold up a toy to show you.
- Does not share much: The baby may not try to display interesting things to others.
- Less shared attention: The baby may not often look at a toy and then look at a parent.
- Parents should look at all of the baby’s communication skills, not only one behavior. If you notice some concerns, then talk to your child’s doctor for guidance.
What Should a 9-12-Month-Old Typically Be Doing?
Each baby grows and learns at their own pace. Still, many babies between 9 and 12 months start showing some common skills. These milestones can help parents just to understand development, but they do not diagnose autism or any other condition.
Around 12 months, many babies may:
- Wave, point, or reach for things.
- Say sounds like “mama” or “dada.”
- Look or respond when their name is called.
- Enjoy games like peek-a-boo.
- Follow simple directions.
- Use sounds, actions, and gestures to show what they need.
Babies may reach these skills at different times. Parents should look at their baby’s overall development instead of comparing them to other babies.
When Should Parents Talk to a Doctor?
The parents don’t need to wait until their child is 18 or 24 months old to discuss concerns. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends checking a child’s development at 9, 18, or 30 months. Autism screening is suggested at 18 and 24 months.
Parents should talk to a doctor if they notice:
- Very little eye contact
- Little reply when their name is called
- Few gestures, such as waving or pointing
- Very little babbling or sounds
- Slight interest in social games
- Little back-and-forth interaction
- Repetitive movements along with communication worries
- Loss of skills the child had previously learned
A doctor can check the child’s growth, observe their behavior, check hearing, or decide whether more testing or support is needed.
FAQs
1. At what age do signs of autism usually appear?
Signs can appear as early as 9-12 months, though many children are not diagnosed until 18-24 months. Early signs often show up in eye contact, response to name, gestures, and babbling.
2. My baby doesn’t respond to their name every time — should I be worried?
Not necessarily. Missing a name call occasionally is normal. It becomes a concern only when it happens consistently and is paired with other signs, like limited eye contact or few gestures.
3. Can a hearing problem look like a sign of autism?
Yes. A baby who doesn’t respond to sounds or their name may simply have a hearing issue rather than autism. A pediatrician can rule this out with a hearing check before considering further evaluation.
4. Is it normal for babies to develop these skills at different times?
Yes. Every baby grows at their own pace, and reaching a milestone a little later than average doesn’t automatically indicate autism. Consistent delays or a loss of previously learned skills are what warrant closer attention.
5. What should I do if I notice several of these signs together?
Talk to your child’s pediatrician. They can assess your baby’s overall development, check hearing, and recommend a developmental or autism screening if needed. Early evaluation allows for early support if it’s needed.
5. What should I do if I notice several of these signs together?
Talk to your child’s pediatrician. They can assess your baby’s overall development, check hearing, and recommend a developmental or autism screening if needed. Early evaluation allows for early support if it’s needed.
6. Can early support help children showing autism signs?
Yes. Early intervention with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy provides personalized support based on a child’s needs, helping develop communication, social skills, and everyday abilities.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, early signs of autism in children ages 9-12 months may include limited eye contact, fewer gestures, reduced sounds, less social interaction, repetitive movements, or unusual sensory responses. However, these signs do not always mean a child has autism, as every baby develops differently.
If you notice concerns or your child loses a skill they once had, speak with your pediatrician. Early support can make a difference. RightWay ABA provides personalized ABA therapy and guidance to help families understand their child’s needs and support their growth. Contact us today to learn more.
