When to seek help urgently

The main thing first. Most suspicions of autism do not require "urgent" action. It is enough to make a doctor's appointment in a calm manner.

But there are situations when it is better not to wait for the next routine visit. CDC and NICE directly call these red flags.

Red flags at any age

• The child loses speech they already had.
• The child loses social contact they already had.
• Regression in play or self-care skills.
• A sharp worsening of behavior or development.

Regression is a separate, important thing. It is not "just a phase." A doctor should not only consider autism but also check whether there are other conditions that can cause skill loss.

Red flags by age

• No gestures after 12-16 months.
• No words after 16-18 months.
• No two-word phrases after 24 months.
• Does not respond to their name at all.

If even one of these is present, do not wait for them to "grow out of it." Make an appointment with a pediatrician or family doctor.

A separate situation: hearing

Sometimes what looks like "does not hear and does not respond" really is connected to hearing. This needs to be checked.

Hearing is checked not because it explains autism. It is done to rule out another cause or to understand a co-occurring condition.

Why "they will grow out of it" is a dangerous phrase

Hearing "they will grow out of it" from relatives is common. Sometimes they really do grow out of it. But if there are several persistent signs, regression, or a clear delay, waiting can take away precious months of early support.

AAP advises directly. Pediatricians should not wait for a formal diagnosis for a child to begin receiving the help they need. This logic is also carried over into the Ukrainian clinical protocol.

Screening is not a diagnosis. It is a quick check that shows whether a full evaluation is needed. Screening can be done quickly and for free. And it is possible to start observation or speech therapy work even before there is a "final paper."

What to do now if there is a red flag

1. Make an appointment with a pediatrician or family doctor. In Ukraine this is the primary care level.
2. Describe specifically what concerns you. Not "something is wrong," but "from a certain moment they stopped saying these words," "does not respond to their name in most situations."
3. Ask for autism screening (M-CHAT-R/F or another validated tool). This can be done within a routine visit.
4. If the doctor says "let us watch for another six months," clarify on what grounds. Ask whether it is possible to start speech therapy, early intervention, or rehabilitation support in parallel.
5. In Ukraine you can see a psychiatrist without an e-referral. This is directly stated in official MOZ clarifications.

The earlier, the better

This does not mean that a missed month is a catastrophe. It means there is no need to delay. The earlier you get oriented, the calmer and more structured the path will be.

What is next

Read "Who to see and in what order" to understand the full route. And "What to bring to the doctor visit" to be ready for the first consultation.