Autism Family Resource Guidebook

24-36 MONTHS Typical Development Red Flags for ASD
3-4 YEARS Typical Development Red Flags for ASD
Social Interaction
Communication
• Plays mainly beside other children,
but is beginning to include other
children, such as in chase games
• Copies others, especially adults and
older children (words and pretend
actions can be observed during play
time or conversations)
• Shows more and more independence
in daily routine (separate easily
from their parents)
• Starts to have “own things”
(Understand the concept of
“mine” and “yours”)
• Knows names of familiar people
and body parts and can point to
pictures of them
• Says sentences with 3 to 5 words
and carries on a conversation using
2 to 3 sentences
• Understands words like “in,” “on,”
and “under”; plurals and pronouns
• Follow instructions with 2 or 3
steps
• Prefers to be alone; appears aloof
• Has difficulty interacting with other
children and initiating conversation or
play with others
• Does not want physical contact
(cuddling, touching, hugging)
• Makes little or no eye contact
• Has little or no speech and sometimes
is not responsive to verbal cues
• Unusual rhythm of vocalization (such
as rate, intonation, pitch, stress and
inflection) or repeats sounds, words,
or phrases
• May not understand instructions and/
or may take longer to respond
• Has difficulty understanding and
interpreting facial expressions, body
language and emotions (of self and/or
others)
• Difficulty expressing needs and may
use negative behavior instead of words
Social Interaction
Communication
• Would rather play with other children
than by themselves and demonstrates
social skills when interacting with
other children (turn taking, conflict
resolution, sharing, offer help)
• Shows ease and comfort in their
interactions with familiar adults
• Expresses a range of emotions with
their face, body, vocal sounds, and
words and describe reasons for
their feelings
• Uses more than one word for the
same object and use words for parts
of objects
• Makes up names for things using
words they know (e.g., dog doctor
for veterinarian)
• Communicates in longer sentences and
use more conventional grammar in
their home language
• Sings a song or says a poem from
memory such as the “Itsy Bitsy Spider”
or the “Wheels on the Bus”
• Prefers playing alone than playing
with others
• Doesn’t share well with others, take
turns or participate in pretend play
• Difficulty being soothed or comforted
• Doesn’t like or actively avoids physical
contact
• Isn’t interested or doesn’t know how
to make friends
• Doesn’t make facial expressions or
makes inappropriate expressions
• Has difficulty expressing or talking
about their feelings or understanding
other people’s feelings
• Difficulty forming sentences
• Repeats words and phrases
• Doesn’t answer questions
appropriately or follow directions
• Flat vocal tone or sing song voice
Behavior/Interests
• Gets excited when with other
children
• Expresses affection openly/
spontaneously
• May show defiant behavior
• Enjoy working with 3-4 piece puzzles
• Can sort objects by shape and color
• Laughs, cries, or shows distress for
reasons not always apparent to others
• Lack of sharing interest or enjoyment
• Strong restricted and persistent
interests
• Exhibits inappropriate attachments
to objects
• Repetitive or obsessive play
• Displays self-stimulatory behaviors
• Has tantrums or “meltdowns”
• Has difficulty transitioning from one
activity to another
• Insists on sameness and is resistant
to change
Behavior/Interests
Other
• Enjoys doing new things, tries new
activities and attempts new challenges
• Talks about likes, interests, and
has favorites
• Expresses a sense of belonging to a
group
• Shows awareness that their actions
affect others
• Engages in activities that require
hand-eye coordination
• Dresses and undresses themselves
with occasional assistance
• Persistent, severe tantrums
• Performs repetitive motions
(flaps hands, rocks back and forth,
spins)
• Lines up toys or other objects in an
organized fashion
• Gets upset or frustrated by small
changes in routine
• Plays with toys the same way
every time
• Likes certain parts of objects
(often wheels or spinning parts)
• Has obsessive interests
• Irregular eating
• Irregular sleeping habits
• Unusual safety awareness
(Overly fearful to fearless Impulsivity)
FACT
Autism is not caused by how you parent,
but progress can be made by taking an active approach.
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