Autism Red Flags: 5 Questions Concerned Parents Should Ask Themselves by Cindy Cooke, DNP, FNP-C, FAANP

Parents are concerned about autism. In the last decade, prevalence has been on the rise, and so has awareness. Here’s a cheat sheet to the basic age-appropriate questions that trigger autism red flags. If you answer “no” to any of the following, or your instincts tell you something is off, make an appointment with a provider. 

• Did your child at 6 months smile? 
• Did your child at 9 months exchange sounds and facial expressions? 
• Did your child at 12 months babble, respond to his or her name and exchange gestures such as pointing, reaching or waving? 
• Did your child at 16 months say any words? 
• Did your child at 24 months say any two-word phrases?

Early intervention is key to a good long-term prognosis. So talk to your nurse practitioner or other providers about your concerns and get a comprehensive diagnostic screening by age 2 to ensure valuable early treatment for your little one.