Autism screening for an 18-month-old?
⚡ Short answer: At 18 months, autism screening looks at eye contact, response to name, joint attention, imitation of simple gestures, and functional play; if there are delays in several of these areas, consulting a child development specialist is helpful.
Anonymous
18 aylık bebek annesi · Health
Autism screening for an 18-month-old—this is my first baby and I have no idea what to expect, can you help?
Maiyko AI ADVISOR
The real reply from the in-app AI advisor
It's very natural to wonder about your baby's development—you want the best start for them, just like every parent.
At this age, autism concerns are evaluated by looking at these areas:
- Eye contact: When talking with you, do they look at your eyes, or is their gaze brief and fleeting?
- Response to their name: Do they turn and look when you say their name, especially when their attention is elsewhere?
- Shared attention: When they see something interesting, do they point at it and wait for you to look too?
- Imitation: Do they copy simple movements (waving, clapping)?
- Play: Do they play with purpose (rolling a car, stacking blocks), or do they mainly line things up and spin them—repetitive movements?
None of these alone is a diagnosis, but if there are delays in several of these areas, speaking with a child development specialist (a pediatrician or child psychiatrist) is a good idea.
In Turkey, routine autism screening isn't part of the standard vaccination schedule at 18 months, but you can ask your pediatrician to "assess eye contact and communication" during your visit.
⚕️ Health note: This answer is for general information only; it is not medical advice. Every baby is different — for decisions about your baby's health, consult your pediatrician.
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