Learn the Milestones

The importance of seeing the signs of autism early, before age 3, cannot be overstated. If autism is detected at early ages, research shows that intensive therapy can change the course of a child’s life.

You might sense that something isn't right with your child (for example, you have trouble getting your child's attention, or can't get the child to respond by name), but you are not sure if what you are seeing is part of typical development or a sign that something is wrong. After all, toddlers can be unpredictable and changeable.

Well Child Lens has developed specific sets of videos to guide you through the first three years and provide vivid examples of the kinds of behavior you should see, what it means if a child is missing milestones, and how to compare typical and atypical toddler behaviors.

Remember that no single warning sign (such as "lack of eye contact") is enough to determine if a child is at risk of an autism spectrum disorder, just as no single sign of typical development (such as "good eye contact") is enough to rule out autism.

If your child is between 16 and 30 months, screen your child and be sure to discuss any concerns you might have with your child's pediatrician as soon as possible.

Typical Milestones

Click on an age to explore the milestones that should generally be reached by children in that age group. Each video presents a vivid example, and you will see several videos under each age.

Remember, these Typical Milestones are intended to be a general guideline. Do not be alarmed if your child develops or achieves any particular milestone at a slightly different pace.