Not consistently responding to their name by 12 months is one of the most reliable early signs of autism and warrants a developmental evaluation. It can also be caused by hearing loss — a hearing test is typically the first step before an autism evaluation. If hearing is normal and the behavior persists, contact your state's Early Intervention program for a free developmental evaluation.
Why Does My Toddler Not Respond to His Name? It's one of the first things parents notice. You call your child's name and get nothing. No eye contact, no turn of the head, no pause in what they're doing. For some families this is a phase. For others it's the first observation that leads to an autism evaluation. Knowing the difference requires looking at age and pattern, not any single moment. This guide covers when name-response is and isn't a concern, what to watch for alongside it, and what to
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Find a Provider →Harmony Care Finder Editorial develops general educational guides to help families navigate provider searches, coverage questions, and care planning. Articles are not medical, clinical, or therapeutic advice.
Editorial information. A named clinical reviewer has not been assigned to this article. This guide provides general educational information and is not medical, clinical, insurance, or therapeutic advice.