Early Signs We Missed Before Autism Was Mentioned

After the doctor first mentioned autism, I started reading more about it. That was when many things slowly started to make sense.

Before that, we had noticed some behaviours, but we did not understand what they could mean. Some of them felt like normal toddler habits. Some felt like personality. Some we thought he would simply grow out of.

Looking back now, there were signs we missed.

A gentle reminder

Every child is different, and one behaviour alone does not mean a child is autistic. If you notice several signs or feel unsure about your child's development, it is always worth speaking with a GP, child health nurse, paediatrician or another qualified professional.

The early signs we missed

1. Communication milestones

One of the biggest things was communication. At around 18 months, our son had not really started babbling much. At the time, I did not fully understand how important early communication milestones were. I thought some children just talked later than others.

2. Eating and sensory challenges

Food was another area where we noticed challenges. He gagged a lot with solid foods and was very fussy with eating. He would only eat certain foods and was hesitant to touch some textures. At that time, we thought he was just a picky eater, but later we understood that sensory issues can affect eating too.

3. Sensory sensitivities

He was also hesitant to touch certain foods and items. Some textures seemed uncomfortable for him. Things that looked simple to us could feel very different for him. He would also cover his ears every now and then, especially around loud sounds. He really disliked the noise from the vacuum cleaner and other sudden loud noises.

4. Repetitive play

There were also repetitive play patterns. He would take kitchen utensils, forks, or other small objects and spin them on the table. With toy cars, instead of pushing them around like we expected, he would often turn them upside down and spin the wheels.

5. Movement differences

We noticed a lot of toe walking too. Again, we did not know much about it then, so we did not connect it to anything.

6. Other behaviours

Another thing we noticed was hand flapping, especially when he was excited or overwhelmed.

7. Putting the pieces together

Individually, these things did not immediately make us think of autism. But after the doctor mentioned it, and after we started learning more, the pieces slowly came together.

I am sharing this not to make parents panic, but to encourage awareness. Every child is different, and one behaviour alone does not mean a child is autistic. But if you notice several signs or feel unsure about your child's development, it is worth speaking with a GP, child health nurse, paediatrician, or another qualified professional.

For us, understanding these signs earlier helped us seek support and start early intervention.

You are not alone

Looking back, I do not blame myself for missing them. I simply did not know what I know now. And that is one reason I want to share our story - because sometimes another parent's experience can help you notice, ask questions, and feel less alone.