The Little known “16 by 16” Milestones:
Imagine this: Your 18-month-old isn’t pointing at airplanes, waving goodbye, or showing interest in peekaboo — things other toddlers seem to love. You’re told, “Every child develops differently.” While that may be true, what if these subtle delays are actually the first signs of autism?
One helpful rule of thumb? Look for “16 gestures by 16 months” — pointing, waving, nodding, showing — the building blocks of communication. Missing these gestures could be a red flag worth checking.
Many pediatricians miss these even if they use autism screeners.
According to the CDC, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects 1 in 31 children in the U.S. — and most parents notice signs by age two. The earlier the detection, the sooner a child can get support that improves their communication, social skills, and long-term development.
At Pediatric Developmental Connections in Mesa, Arizona, we emphasize early evaluation because this is the time is their brain is molding and making connections.
