Preschool Red Flags, if not observing them by the age of 24 months.
Specific Behaviors targeted to be observed by the age of 24 months in
Preschool children who appear to manifest typical development.
Question: Does your child demonstrate these typical behaviors?
Yes/No 1. Your child uses a range of facial affects, and appears to ‘talk’ with their eyes with
You, even if they do not talk very well.
You, even if they do not talk very well.
Yes/No 2. Your child turns in your direction when his name is called to get his attention.
Yes/No 3. Your child will follow the point of the adult when directed to look at an interesting
Item or action. (Joint Attention)
Yes/No 4. The child uses the same toy in a variety of creative actions. (plays with it)
Yes/No 5. The child is interested in a toy, to see what it can do. (ex. Runs a car back and forth)
Yes/No 6. When a child sees something of interest, he points to get the adult to look at it.
The child will look at the adult to make sure they are sharing the same attention focus.
Yes/No 7. If the child has an interesting toy that won’t work, he/she will take it to an adult
because he thinks that the adult can make it work and help him/her.
Yes/No 8. If a toy he/she wants is out of reach, he/she will use early problem solving to get
it, and keeps trying with prolonged attention. (does not show immediate frustration)
Yes/No 3. Your child will follow the point of the adult when directed to look at an interesting
Item or action. (Joint Attention)
Yes/No 4. The child uses the same toy in a variety of creative actions. (plays with it)
Yes/No 5. The child is interested in a toy, to see what it can do. (ex. Runs a car back and forth)
Yes/No 6. When a child sees something of interest, he points to get the adult to look at it.
The child will look at the adult to make sure they are sharing the same attention focus.
Yes/No 7. If the child has an interesting toy that won’t work, he/she will take it to an adult
because he thinks that the adult can make it work and help him/her.
Yes/No 8. If a toy he/she wants is out of reach, he/she will use early problem solving to get
it, and keeps trying with prolonged attention. (does not show immediate frustration)
9. It is never typical for a child to have speech or the above non-verbal skills, and loose them.
If you rated your child with even one 'NO', he or she is not developing along the typical expected developmental pattern. These 'NO' red flags are seen in some children who have been identified as manifesting behaviors that fall within the Autism Spectrum, and your rating, indicates that your child may be exhibiting non-verbal communication and play skills that are a focus of concern.
It is recommended that you pursue further assessment through a medically based diagnostic professional. However, even without a diagnosis, your rating indicates that a developmental delay appears to exist and intervention is warranted, particularly, if in addition, your child is not talking.
The Autism Society of Washington is available to assist parents. Go to: www,autismsocietyofwa.org to assess parent information and support information.
PJGee (6/08)
