Autism is now identified in about 1 in 31 children by age 8, according to CDC’s ADDM Network. Most of the 10 signs below are visible by 18 months, sometimes earlier.
The gap between “visible” and “acted on” is where families lose time they can’t get back. Here’s the list, what to do with it, and who else needs to read past the parent section.
The 10 signs
One sign means less than two or three together.
- Not pointing to show interest in something by 18 months
- Not responding to their name by 12 months
- Avoiding eye contact
- Not playing pretend games by 18 months
- Delayed speech or language
- Repeating words or phrases (echolalia)
- Getting upset by small changes in routine
- Narrow, intense interests
- Repetitive physical movements
- Unusual reactions to smells, tastes, textures, sounds, or how things look
These cluster into three areas: connecting with others (1 through 4), communicating (5 through 8), and responding to the world around them (9 and 10). No child needs to show all 10. Autism presents differently across kids, and a child can be autistic without matching every item here. What matters is the pattern, not the count.
What to do if you see two or more signs
You don’t need certainty. You need a referral.
Talk to your child’s pediatrician. Say specifically that you want a developmental screening and a referral for an autism evaluation, not just “I have some concerns.” Vague concerns get a
wait-and-see response. Specific requests get the next step.
Bring examples, not impressions. “He doesn’t respond when I call his name, even close up” moves faster than “something feels off.” Write down two or three moments before the appointment.
One thing worth knowing: in October 2024, the American Academy of Pediatrics asked payers to let general pediatricians diagnose autism directly and drop requirements for repeat specialist evaluations. That shift is still working its way through individual payers and states, so ask your pediatrician where things stand, but it means the first conversation matters more than it used to.
The earlier intervention starts, the faster the developmental gains show up. That’s the real reason speed matters more than certainty.
For pediatricians, teachers, and early intervention staff
The bottleneck right now is the referral, not the diagnosis.
If you’re reading this because a colleague sent it, or because you’re the one who notices these patterns across a caseload of kids: the same guidance applies. Two or more signs together is enough to refer, not a reason to wait for more certainty.
FronteraCare evaluates and treats children and young adults from 1 to 21 years old across New Mexico, and accepts NM Medicaid along with most major commercial plans. Referrals can come by phone, fax, email, or through the website.
Nationally, this is where families lose the most time. A survey of autism specialty centers across the U.S. found nearly two-thirds had wait times longer than four months, and a quarter topped six. FronteraCare schedules in weeks.
Two calls, two different urgencies
If you’re a parent: call your pediatrician this week. Ask for a developmental screening and a referral for an autism evaluation by name.
If you’re a referring provider: FronteraCare schedules autism evaluations in weeks, not the months families report at specialty centers nationally, across New Mexico including Rio Rancho, Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Santa Fe, and Roswell. Call (575) 288-1881, option 1, email intake@fronteracare.com, or fax (575) 288-1889. Se habla español.
Every child with autism is different, and a child can be autistic without showing every sign here. The CDC’s full list is at cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/signs.html. But the families who get answers fastest are the ones who stopped waiting for certainty and made the call.