[0:00] Justin:
…And it was basically a teacher who came to us and said, “Hey, I’m seeing some things, you may want to get this checked out.”
So let’s start here, what are some early signs that parents and practitioners should be aware of when it comes to autism?
[0:12] Justin (Intro):
This is Practitioner Perspectives in Autism Care, a Neurosage Hub podcast.
Building hope. Walking together.
[0:21] Justin:
Welcome to the Neurosage Hub podcast. My name is Justin Barton, and I’m grateful to be your host.
Today I’m sitting down with Ashley Tamayo, and we’re starting a conversation that will become a series.
Ashley, before we jump in, can you introduce yourself and share a little about your background?
[0:42] Ashley:
Thank you, Justin, I appreciate that.
My name is Ashley. I’m a licensed clinical social worker supervisor by trade. I’ve had the opportunity to work with Neurosage Hub as the Director of Curriculum and Innovation.
It’s been a really meaningful experience to blend my background, working with families, individuals, and groups, with this platform that provides education and support, helping foster a stronger community.
I’m excited to be here and jump into the conversation.
[1:26] Justin:
Yeah, I’m excited for this as well, not only to get to know you, but to help you become a resource for parents, practitioners, educators, and anyone interacting with individuals on the autism spectrum.
So let’s dive right in.
What are some early signs that parents and practitioners should be aware of when identifying possible autism?
[2:00] Ashley:
Great question.
The signs can look both similar and different depending on age and developmental stage.
One of the first areas we often look at is communication, whether that’s verbal, nonverbal, or social interaction. Sometimes we see delays in development, but that alone isn’t always a clear indicator.
For example, a parent might notice that their child isn’t responding consistently or engaging as expected. Sometimes that’s completely normal, and sometimes it’s an early signal worth paying attention to.
This is often where families begin exploring support, whether through a primary care provider or something like speech therapy.
So communication and developmental patterns are usually some of the earliest areas to observe.
[3:12] Justin:
That makes sense from a parent’s perspective.
Now let’s shift to a practitioner’s point of view. What are they looking for in those situations?
[3:27] Ashley:
From a practitioner’s perspective, it’s a little different.
They’re not seeing the child in everyday environments, so naturally, a child may appear more reserved or cautious in a clinical setting. That alone isn’t necessarily a concern.
What practitioners are really looking for is patterns over time.
For example, they may introduce activities like sand tray therapy, coloring, or blocks, and attempt to engage. If there’s a consistent disconnect, that’s something they take note of.
It’s not just about verbal communication. It’s also about:
Social cues
Awareness of surroundings
Engagement with activities
If a child isn’t interacting with objects, matching, or engaging in expected ways for their developmental stage, those can be indicators practitioners explore further.
[4:53] Justin:
Thank you for that.
I want to bring in another perspective, educators.
In my own experience, my daughter was around 10 years old before she was diagnosed. We didn’t recognize it ourselves. It was actually a teacher who approached us and suggested we get her evaluated.
From an educator’s perspective, what might they be looking for?
[5:22] Ashley:
That’s such an important perspective.
Educators have a unique role, but they’re also balancing a lot. They can’t specialize in everything, but they are often in a position to observe patterns over time.
What’s important is helping educators feel confident in sharing observations clearly and honestly, while also inviting collaboration with parents.
It’s less about labeling and more about saying,
“This is what I’m noticing. Are you seeing this at home?”
That curiosity and open dialogue can make a huge difference in early identification.
[6:03] Justin:
At the beginning, you mentioned that not every delay is a reason to panic.
Let’s talk about that. How can parents step back and not spiral when they notice something that feels off?
[6:26] Ashley:
Yeah, that’s a big one.
With social media and information online, it’s easy for parents to go down a path of fear very quickly. One symptom leads to another, and suddenly everything feels overwhelming.
But it’s important to look at the whole picture, not just one behavior.
For example, sensory differences can play a role. Some children are highly sensitive to sensory input, while others may avoid certain stimuli.
So before jumping to conclusions, we want to consider:
Environment
Developmental stage
Sensory factors
Overall patterns
It’s not just one thing, it’s a combination of factors over time.
[7:30] Justin (Closing):
Ashley, I really appreciate you walking us through this.
This conversation helps bring clarity to what early signs may look like, without creating fear, which is exactly what we want.
At Neurosage Hub, our goal is to build hope and walk together.
We’re here to provide a structured path forward for the autism journey.
Join us next time as Ashley and I continue this conversation.
Thanks for being here.
