Useful
Child Development
We outline the differences between "Normal Development" and "Development in Autism" in children aged 2 to 24 months, because the earlier a parent or child's personal doctor notices markers for autism and starts intensive Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, the greater the chances for normal communication, socialization, and a dignified, independent life for the child!


Development of Communication and Play
Age | Normal Development | Development in Autism |
2 months | Smiles, turns head towards sound, cries when needs something | Lack of desire for contact, weak crying, minimal interest or need for anything |
6 months | Reaches out to be picked up, imitates adult actions | Less active, some are easily agitated, weak eye contact, minimal social responses |
8 months | Recognizes parents, enjoys games (peek-a-boo, give-me), listens to songs, uses some conventional gestures, cries when mother leaves | Withdrawn, rarely seeks contact, passive in play, if engaged, 1/3 enjoy attention but more as presence and show little interest in others |
12 months | Actively seeks contact, asks and responds in communication, increased eye contact with adults during play, strongly attached to mother, fear of separation | Contacts decrease once child starts walking or crawling, not upset by separation from close ones |
18 months | Intense desire for play, alone or with others, interest in peer play | No play activity, unusual object manipulation, toys are not interesting, may attach to odd objects and use them in unusual ways |
24 months | Role-playing in games, plots are more complex | Does not understand role-playing, does not seek contact with others, not particularly attached to parents, more related to servicing his needs, hugs or kisses only if requested. Possible appearance of fears and phobias |