What social-communication delays can look like at this age

• Looking at objects more than people
• Lack of reciprocal smiles or responding to name
• Unusual or odd repetitive behaviours
• Limited use of gestures & vocalizations
• Pulling or leading others

What we can do to help

• Parent Coaching – simple interactions in activities you are already doing each day with your baby create the learning opportunities needed to support brain development. Through parent coaching, learn to support your child’s early social interaction and communication skills.
• Infant playgroup (coming soon!)

Early signs of autism and social communication difficulties can be identified by as early as 4-6 months

Other resources:

• Baby navigator
• Screening tool: M-Chat
• Bring up concerns with your GP
• Consider getting on the waitlist for assessment

What social-communication delays can look like at this age:

• Limited use of words or vocalizations
• Lack of sharing interests or enjoyment with others
• Difficulty following instructions
• Lack of use of gestures (e.g., waving, blowing a kiss)
• Repeating words, phrases, or scripts
• Repetitive movements
• Rigid routines
• Big emotional reactions to changes

What we can do to help

• Parent Coaching can help you support your child’s early social interaction skills, speech and communication development, emotion regulation skills in every-day interactions. We can also support specific routines or situations that may be challenging (e.g., bolting when out in the community, difficulty eating at a restaurant, resisting diaper changes, etc.)
• Parent and Toddler Playgroup: learn skills and strategies in a social environment with other parents and children in a cost effective way
• Early Intervention program: our ESDM Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention program is ideal for young children to provide structured, evidence based learning opportunities to give children the skills they need to thrive in the world.

Early detection and intervention can have a lifetime impact on children’s outcomes, and research shows that costs associated with ESDM treatment were fully offset within a few years after the intervention because of reductions in other service use and associated costs (Cidav, Munson, Estes, Dawson, Rogers, Mandell, 2017). Autism can be reliably diagnosed by 18 months of age.

What we can do to help

• • Early Intervention program: our ESDM Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention program is ideal for young children to provide structured, evidence based learning opportunities to give children the skills they need to thrive in the world.
  • Parent Coaching can help you support your child’s early social interaction skills, speech and communication development, emotion regulation skills in every-day interactions. We can also support specific routines or situations that may be challenging (e.g., bolting when out in the community, difficulty eating at a restaurant, resisting diaper changes, etc.)
  • Social Groups: Our play and social groups help your child learn social interaction and emotion regulation skills in a fun, social environment.
  • Play dates & sibling play: Work on specific, individualized objectives for your child with a matched peer.

Early intervention is most effective when it is started by 3.5 years

Check out our blog post, how early intervention can prepare your child for preschool

Not sure where to start? We offer a FREE, 30 minute information call to help you find the best fit.