Your Toddler, Our Expertise
Discover As You Are
We know parenthood is an adventure filled with lots of love, joy and even more questions. Every toddler’s development journey is unique; and As You Are is your partner in understanding each step of the way. If you’re worried about your toddler’s behavior, communication, or social interactions, you’re not alone.
Did you know? The behavioral signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often appear early in development. Many toddlers show signs as early as 12 -18 months of age. Yet, most parents feel uncertain about how to ask questions about these behaviors. In fact, 76% of parents shared that they’re worried about their children’s social and emotional milestones* – so you are not alone.
That’s where As You Are physicians can help. Our specially trained doctors provide virtual autism evaluations tailored for toddlers starting at the age of 16 months old. As parents of toddlers, we understand the uncertainties that come with this stage of development.
Whether you’ve noticed repetitive actions like “stimming” or challenges like tantrums, our compassionate doctors are here to help.
Communication delays, speech delays, social challenges, picky eating, or GI issues – whatever concerns you, our doctors are equipped to help you evaluate your child.
*provided by the Bright Horizons Modern Family Index
Understanding Developmental Milestones
Every child develops at their own pace, but certain milestones can serve as important indicators of their overall development. Here are some key areas we focus on during our evaluations:
Social Differences
Limited interest in other children, infrequent eye contact, limited initiation of play with others or pretend or make-believe play
Repetitive Behaviors
Unusual finger or body movements, head-banging, rocking, having strong and restricted interests in particular object or activity
Behavioral Outbursts
Severe tantrums or meltdowns, irritability, aggressive behaviors or self-injury
Sensory Differences
Easily upset by everyday sounds, over- or under-reacting to lights, smells, tastes, textures
Speech Delays
Little to no babbling by 12 months, no single words by 16 months, does not look at you when their name is called,, unusual volume or repetition in speech
Picky Eating
Refusing food, unwilling to try new foods, eating a limited variety of foods
GI Challenges
Belly pain, painful to use the toilet, constipation
Important Milestones for Your Child
Observing how your child plays, learns, communicates, behaves, and moves offers valuable insights into their growth journey. Developmental milestones are key markers representing what most children (75% or more) typically accomplish by certain ages. Click on an age group below to learn more.
18 Months
Most babies at this age display social awareness by checking in with you, engage in early communication attempts like pointing and trying to say words, demonstrate cognitive growth by imitating simple tasks and playing with toys, and exhibit physical milestones such as walking independently, scribbling, and attempting to feed themselves with fingers or a spoon.
2 Years
By this age, most children typically show social awareness by noticing and reacting to others' emotions, demonstrate developing language skills by using two-word phrases and pointing to objects when asked, exhibit cognitive growth by manipulating objects with both hands and engaging in pretend play with multiple toys, and demonstrate physical abilities such as kicking a ball, running, and using utensils to eat.
3 Years
By this age, most children exhibit social adaptability by calming down after brief separations, engage in conversation with back-and-forth exchanges, demonstrate cognitive development by following simple instructions and drawing basic shapes, and achieve physical milestones such as stringing items together, dressing partially independently, and using utensils.
4 Years
By this age, most children engage in imaginative play, seek out social interactions, show empathy, demonstrate safety awareness, exhibit helpfulness, adapt behavior to different settings, use sentences with four or more words, recall events from their day, answer simple questions, identify colors, predict story sequences, draw basic human figures, catch large balls, serve themselves with supervision, unbutton clothing, and hold writing implements properly.
5 Years
By this age, most children follow rules, engage in creative activities, perform simple chores, tell stories with multiple events, answer questions about stories, maintain conversations, recognize rhymes, count to 10, name numbers, use time-related words, focus for 5 to 10 minutes, write some letters, identify letters, and demonstrate physical skills like buttoning clothes and hopping on one foot.
Contact As You Are
By scheduling an evaluation with us, you’re taking an important step towards understanding your toddler’s development. Our warm and welcoming team ensures you feel supported throughout the process. Whether seeking reassurance or strategies, we’re here for you.
At As You Are, we believe every toddler deserves to be understood and supported and every parent deserves to be heard. Our dedicated doctors are committed to empowering parents with the knowledge and resources needed for confident parenting.
Don’t let concerns weigh you down. Schedule an evaluation with As You Are today. Together, we’ll help your toddler thrive, just as they are.
