As parents, we all want to understand our children and support them in the best way possible. Sometimes that includes asking questions about their development - and one topic that comes up more and more is autism.
You might be wondering:
- What exactly is autism?
- What are the early signs in children?
- When should I seek advice?
- And how does diagnosis work in the UK?
To help answer these questions, we spoke to Dr Hannah Hobson, psychology lecturer at the University of York and director of the Emerald Lab (Emotions and Mental Health Research in Autism and Language Disorders).
Here, she shares clear and reassuring guidance for parents navigating autism and child development.
What is autism?
Autism (or Autism Spectrum Condition) is a neurodevelopmental condition, which means it relates to how the brain develops and processes information.
One of the most important things to know is that autism looks different in every person.
You might hear people say:
“If you’ve met one autistic person, you’ve met one autistic person.”
That’s because every autistic child has their own strengths, personality and needs.
However, when professionals assess autism, they usually look at two main areas.
1. Differences in social communication
This can include:
- Difficulty understanding social cues
- Challenges with conversation or interaction
- Differences in eye contact
- Struggling to interpret jokes, sarcasm or tone
Some autistic children may also experience language delays, although others can be very articulate.
2. Repetitive behaviours or intense interests
Autistic children may also show patterns such as:
- Strong interests in particular topics
- Repeating certain actions or movements
- Preferring routines and predictability
- Playing with toys in repetitive ways
For example, some children may line toys up by colour or size rather than using them for imaginative play.
What does “The Autism Spectrum” mean?
You’ve probably heard the phrase “on the autism spectrum.”
Many people think this means autism ranges from mild to severe, but it’s actually more complex than that.
Instead, autism exists across a wide range of traits and experiences.
Some autistic children may:
- Need significant support with communication
- Be minimally verbal
- Require help with daily routines
Others may:
- Be highly verbal
- Thrive academically
- Mainly struggle with social situations or change
Rather than a straight line, many experts now describe autism more like a unique profile of characteristics.
Why are autism diagnoses increasing?
Autism seems to be discussed far more than it was even 20 years ago.
In the UK, it’s estimated that around 1 in 100 people are autistic, although the real figure may be slightly higher.
The is largely due to:
- Better understanding of autism
- Changes in diagnostic processes
- Greater recognition of autism in girls
- More adults receiving diagnoses later in life
Years ago, autism was often thought to mainly affect boys. We now know that many girls were simply missed or misdiagnosed.
Early signs of autism in children
All children develop at their own pace, and seeing one or two of these behaviours does not necessarily mean a child is autistic.
However, some early signs parents might notice include:
Developmental milestones
- Not responding to their name by around nine months
- Limited use of gestures such as waving
- Not pointing to share interests
- Not bringing objects to show parents
Social interaction
- Less interest in interactive games like pat-a-cake
- Limited shared attention or eye contact
Play patterns
- Limited pretend play by around age four
- Repetitive play, such as lining up toys
Communication
Some children may repeat words or phrases frequently. This is called echolalia and is a normal part of language learning, but persistent repetition can sometimes be a sign professionals look at.
Sensory differences
Autistic children may also experience heightened sensitivity to:
- Bright lights
- Loud sounds
- Certain textures or clothing fabrics
- Specific tastes or smells
These sensory differences can sometimes lead to frustration, particularly in younger children who may struggle to explain what they’re feeling.
What should parents do if they’re concerned?
If you’re worried about your child’s development, the best first step is to talk to your GP, health visitor, nursery or school.
They may suggest:
- Monitoring development
- Referrals for further assessment
- Support within school or nursery settings
It can also be really helpful to ask teachers or nursery staff if they’ve noticed similar behaviours.
Remember: raising a concern doesn’t mean something is definitely wrong - but it can help ensure your child gets the support they need.
Why can autism diagnosis take time?
Many families find that autism assessments involve long waiting lists.
That’s partly because diagnosis usually involves a specialist team, not just one professional.
Assessments may include:
- Observations of the child
- Structured interaction activities
- Detailed discussions with parents about early development
Because several specialists are involved, waiting times can sometimes be many months or longer.
Can schools support children without a diagnosis?
In many cases, yes.
Some schools will begin providing support if they strongly suspect a child may be autistic, even before a formal diagnosis.
This might include:
- Visual timetables
- Additional emotional support
- Structured routines
- Small adjustments to learning environments
Early support can make a huge difference to how comfortable a child feels at school.
What happens after an autism diagnosis?
For many families, a diagnosis can feel like a mixture of emotions.
There may be:
- Relief at finally having answers
- Frustration that it wasn’t identified sooner
- Uncertainty about next steps
A diagnosis can also help unlock access to support such as:
- Educational Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) (Note that these may become “Individual Support Plans” in the coming years, as the SEND system undergoes reform).
- Specialist support in school
- Workplace protections in adulthood under the Equality Act
However, it’s important to remember:
Your child is still exactly the same child after diagnosis as they were before it.
The diagnosis simply helps people understand their needs better.
Understanding neurodiversity
Today, there is growing awareness of neurodiversity - the idea that differences in how our brains work are a natural part of human diversity.
Instead of trying to “fix” autism, the focus is increasingly on:
- acceptance
- understanding
- support
Autistic children bring unique strengths and perspectives to the world, and creating inclusive environments benefits everyone.
A final thought for parents
Even if your own child isn’t autistic, teaching children about differences in how people think, communicate and experience the world can make a real difference.
Encouraging kindness, understanding and empathy helps create a society where every child feels safe, valued and included.
And that’s something we can all support.
Listen to this episode of the Family Health by Mini First Aid podcast – available on all major platforms, or watch on YouTube.
At Mini First Aid, we believe that when parents feel informed and supported, they feel more confident navigating their child’s health and development. Conversations around topics like autism can feel overwhelming at times, but understanding and awareness are powerful first steps.
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Because when it comes to your family, feeling prepared makes all the difference. 💚
