Pointing, response to name, shared gaze, play and language are among the things a professional may ask about. This page describes them by age, in plain language, to help you note what you see and talk about it. It is not a checklist for making a diagnosis.
What professionals look for
- Joint attention. Following a look or a point, and pointing to show something to share an interest.
- Response to name. Turning toward the person calling, depending on the context.
- Shared gaze. Looking at a face during play or when something surprising happens.
- Play. Copying, playing peek-a-boo, and using objects in pretend play.
- Communication. Babbling, gestures and words used in back-and-forth exchanges.
The cited Public Health Agency of Canada page covers, among other things, babbling, eye contact, reacting when spoken to, interest in other people and repeating words. 1 None of these behaviours, on its own, is enough to conclude that a child is autistic.
Signs by age
These markers are meant to guide a conversation with a professional. They are not a validated developmental scale, and they are not universal deadlines.
| Age | Skills described here | Observations to discuss |
|---|---|---|
| 12 months | Back-and-forth babbling, turning to their name, shared looks, gestures to wave or reach | Little babbling, rarely responding to name, few shared looks, interest mostly directed at objects |
| 18 months | Pointing to show something, following an adult's point with their eyes, using a few words, copying simple actions | Little pointing to share interest, not following an adult's point, no words or copying, rarely responding to name |
| 24 months | Combining two words, pretend play, interest in other children, shared enjoyment | No two-word combinations or pretend play, limited social interest, unusual repeating |
| 36 months | Short conversations, playing with others, asking questions, adapting to routines | Speech that is mostly repeated, a strong need for sameness, big reactions to changes, lining up or spinning objects for long periods |
At any age, also mention any loss of skills the child used to have and strong reactions to sounds, textures or light. 1 See Lost words and skills.
Why early observations are useful
- In a population study, autism identifications made from 14 months onward were largely stable when children were re-assessed up to age 3. 3
- The M-CHAT-R/F screening questionnaire was validated at the 18 and 24 month visits. 4
- The cited Canadian survey reports a median age at diagnosis of 3.7 years, with just over half of diagnoses made before age five. 2
These findings come from different groups. They do not set a countdown, a deadline parents could "miss", or the path your child is expected to follow.
Asking for advice before you are sure
A request for an assessment exists precisely to better understand an uncertain situation. It does not state that your child is autistic. You can discuss the benefits, wait times and practical constraints of the process with the professional.
The cited study also describes children identified later who had not been flagged at first, roughly one in four of them according to what it reports. 3 A reassuring first assessment does not stop you from raising concerns again if they persist.
What these markers do not tell you
- They do not make a diagnosis.
- They do not predict language, schooling or adult life. Profiles can change; the cited family-history study does not allow an individual prediction. 5
- They do not replace a hearing or vision check. If your child rarely responds to their name, ask about a hearing check.
Some profiles can be harder to notice. See Girls, quiet kids and masking. Language difficulties, activity level and autistic traits can also overlap: Autism, ADHD and language delay at age 2.
Where to start in Quebec
Contact your CLSC, your family doctor or your pediatrician; 811 can direct you. According to the cited source, the Agir tôt program serves children under 7, free of charge and on a voluntary basis, without requiring a prior diagnosis. 6 See What to say to your doctor or the I'm worried journey.
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Sources
- Autism: Signs and characteristics (2026) ↩1 ↩2
- Autism spectrum disorder: Highlights from the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth (2022) ↩1
- Evaluation of the diagnostic stability of the early autism spectrum disorder phenotype in the general population starting at 12 months (2019) ↩1 ↩2
- Validation of the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised with Follow-up (M-CHAT-R/F) (2014) ↩1
- Mid-childhood developmental and behavioural outcomes in infants with a family history of autism and/or ADHD (2026) ↩1
- Agir tôt program (2026) ↩1