When a toddler is not talking as expected, several communication red flags may indicate autism according to CDC guidelines and Heart Core ABA expertise. Key signs related to speech and language delays include:

• Lack of babbling or gesturing by 12 to 16 months.
• No use of single words by 16 months.
• An absence of spontaneous two-word phrases by 24 months.
• Echolalia, which involves repeating words or phrases (such as car go) rather than using them creatively.

In addition to the absence of speech, these toddlers often show other related communication and social indicators:

• Not responding to their name by 12 months of age.
• Limited or no eye contact during interactions.
• Failing to use gestures like pointing to share interest or waving goodbye.
• Lack of social smiling or not turning to faces when spoken to.
• Difficulty with joint attention, such as not following a caregiver’s point or not showing objects to others.

If a toddler shows these signs alongside repetitive behaviors or unusual sensory reactions, early intervention services and professional evaluations are recommended to support the child’s development of communication and independence.