At Heart to Heart Pediatrics, we believe that every child’s developmental journey is unique. As your partners in health here in Whittier, CA, Dr. Jana Wells and Dr. Carole Macaulay are dedicated to helping parents recognize the subtle milestones that define early childhood.

When it comes to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), early intervention is one of the most powerful tools we have. However, the earliest signs are not always obvious. While many parents look for "big" markers, like a total lack of speech, there are several nuanced social and behavioral "whispers" that are easy to miss in the busyness of daily life.

1. The Absence of Joint Attention

Most infants are naturally inclined to share experiences with their parents. By 9 to 12 months, a neurotypical child will usually point at a passing dog or a bright balloon and then look back at you to see if you’re seeing it, too. This is called "joint attention."

A child on the spectrum may look at the object but rarely looks back to share the "wow" moment with you. They might also fail to follow your finger when you point at something across the room, appearing as though they didn't hear you or aren't interested in the shared world.

2. Subtle Differences in Social Mimicry

Babies are like little mirrors. From a very early age, they begin to mimic facial expressions and social gestures. By 6 months, most babies respond to a parent’s smile with a smile of their own.

One sign that is often missed is a delay or infrequency in this "social smiling." You might find that you have to work much harder to get a smile out of your baby, or that they don't seem to wave "bye-bye" or clap their hands in imitation of you, even after repeated practice.

3. Unusual Use of Toys and Objects

Play is the "work" of childhood, and how a child plays can tell us a lot about their neurological processing. While all children have favorite toys, a child with ASD may focus on specific parts of a toy rather than the toy as a whole.

Instead of "driving" a toy car across the floor, they might flip it over and spend long periods spinning the wheels. You might also notice them lining up objects in a specific, rigid order rather than engaging in "pretend play," such as feeding a doll or pretending a block is a phone.

4. Regression or Stalled Language

Sometimes, the sign isn't what the child isn't doing, but rather what they stopped doing. It is common for children with ASD to develop a few words, like "mama" or "ball", and then suddenly stop using them around 15 to 24 months of age.

Additionally, parents may miss "echolalia," which is when a child repeats phrases or scripts from movies or books perfectly, but cannot use those same words to ask for a snack or express a need. It may sound like advanced speech, but it is often a repetitive behavior rather than functional communication.

5. Sensory Over- or Under-Responsiveness

Does your child have an extreme reaction to the sound of a vacuum cleaner or the texture of certain clothing tags? Conversely, do they seem to have an unusually high pain tolerance, not crying when they take a significant tumble?

These unique sensory profiles are often early indicators of ASD. The brain may be struggling to organize and respond to the vast amount of sensory input it receives from the environment, leading to meltdowns that seem disproportionate to the situation.

Your Trusted Partners in Whittier, CA

If you have a "gut feeling" that something is different about your child’s development, please don't wait. At Heart to Heart Pediatrics, Dr. Wells and Dr. Macaulay provide a warm, supportive environment where we can perform developmental screenings and connect you with the right specialists.

We strive to make expert care accessible to all families. We accept major PPO plans, including United Healthcare, Cigna, Aetna, Blue Shield, and Blue Cross. We are also proud providers for Tricare and HealthNet PPO. For those with HMO plans, we are affiliated with PIH, Allied Pacific, and Regal. We also welcome cash payments.

Are you concerned about your child’s social or communication milestones? Schedule a developmental wellness check with Dr. Wells or Dr. Macaulay by calling our Whittier, CA, office at (562) 698-6089.