Autism: Early Signs in Babies and Young Children, and When to See a Doctor

He is 20 months old. He lines up his little cars for hours, does not turn round when you call him, and never points at the plane flying over. Your mother-in-law says his father talked late, that you should wait. You feel that something is not right. Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), often starts with these small differences, well before a diagnosis.

Your worry deserves to be heard. Health authorities agree: we do not wait to see whether it “passes”. Here are the signs to know, age by age, and the steps to take in Morocco.

What is autism, in a few words?

Autism is a difference in brain development. It mainly affects two areas: communication and relationships with others, and repetitive or very restricted behaviours or interests. We speak of a “spectrum” because profiles vary widely, from the child who does not speak to the one who talks a lot, but in their own way.

The WHO estimates that about one person in 127 was autistic in 2021, with wide variation between studies. The causes are multiple, genetic and environmental. Parents are not responsible, and no way of raising a child causes it.

Early signs, age by age

No sign taken alone allows a conclusion. What raises a flag is a group of signs that persist. The benchmarks below combine those of the Canadian Paediatric Society and the US CDC.

To these benchmarks add typical behaviours described by the NHS and the CDC: lining up toys and getting upset if the order is disturbed, repeating words or phrases, flapping hands or rocking, fixating on parts of an object (the wheels of a car), needing strict routines. Many autistic children also react very strongly, or very little, to sounds, textures, smells or foods.

To place your child within usual development, our detailed milestones for the 18-month-old and the 2-year-old are useful.

The signal that must never wait: regression

If your child loses skills they had (they said about ten words and now say none, they used to clap and no longer do, they used to look at you and now withdraw), see a doctor quickly, whatever their age. The Canadian Paediatric Society and the CDC list this loss as a reason to consult in its own right.

Screening: what is the M-CHAT for?

The M-CHAT (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers) is filled in by parents. It asks simple questions about daily life, such as “does your child point to show you something?”, and identifies children at risk of autism. American paediatricians recommend specific autism screening at 18 and 24 months, and developmental screening at 9, 18 and 30 months.

One essential point, stressed by the CDC: a screening tool does not make a diagnosis. An “at risk” result means “an assessment is needed”, not “your child is autistic”. Conversely, a reassuring result should not silence a worry that persists. In France, the State also offers an observation booklet covering 6 to 36 months, to be filled in with the nursery or childminder: it follows the same logic.

Vaccines, screens, bilingualism: what does not cause autism

Vaccines. The WHO is categorical: the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine does not cause autism, and other childhood vaccines do not increase this risk. The study that launched the rumour turned out to be false and fraudulent, and was retracted. Delaying a vaccine brings no protection and exposes your child to diseases: follow the vaccination schedule in Morocco.

Bilingualism. Growing up between darija, Arabic and French does not cause autism. The risk is rather the opposite: putting a communication delay down to languages, and waiting. Our article on the multilingual child in Morocco explains what is normal.

Screens. They are not among the recognised causes of autism in WHO and CDC sources. But a lot of screen time takes the place of the conversations every child needs to learn to speak. Our guidance on screens and young children holds for everyone.

Who to turn to in Morocco

The first door is the paediatrician or the doctor who follows your child. Describe what you have seen, ask whether screening is possible, and have hearing checked: a child who hears poorly can seem not to respond. If the signs persist, ask to be referred to a child development specialist (child psychiatrist or paediatric neurologist) for a full assessment, often supplemented by a speech therapist and a psychomotor therapist.

The path is not always simple. As early as 2018, Moroccan associations, such as Vaincre l'autisme and the Collectif autisme Maroc, pointed to the shortage of professionals trained in early screening and the cost of care. In October 2025, the Collectif autisme Maroc and the United Nations Population Fund presented in Rabat a first national study and a cross-sector plan, one strand of which is early screening and access to care. For services near you, ask your paediatrician and the parents' associations in your region.

If your child has a language delay with no other sign, our article on baby's first words will help you take stock.

Why acting early makes a difference

Because a young child's brain learns fast. The WHO stresses that evidence-based psychosocial interventions improve communication and social skills, and that they are all the more useful when they start early. Starting support (speech therapy, psychomotor therapy, parent guidance) does not always require waiting for a final diagnosis.

Be wary, though, of promises of a “cure”, miracle diets and expensive treatments sold online. The Canadian Paediatric Society advises talking to your doctor before trying any treatment or product.

And look after yourself. The doubts, then the announcement, are exhausting. Parents' associations are a valuable place to catch your breath, share addresses and not be left alone with the questions.