Parents in Sharjah often notice something before anyone else does. A child who is not responding to their name the way other toddlers do. Words that appeared at 12 months and then quietly disappeared. A child who lines things up carefully but does not look up to share the moment with anyone. These are not things most parents know how to interpret, and a routine well-child visit may not answer every question a parent has about these patterns.
Asha Susan Mani, BCBA (USA) and IBA-Certified clinician, provides structured developmental and behavioral consultation to help families understand patterns that may warrant further evaluation for autism spectrum disorder. A consultation does not replace a formal diagnostic assessment, but it can help families understand their child's developmental profile and decide whether further evaluation or support is appropriate.
Families in Sharjah can access this support through online consultations across the UAE, where the service is suitable for online delivery. In-person consultations are available at the Dubai clinic.
What Autism Screening for Toddlers Covers at a Glance
What it does: Helps families understand early developmental and behavioral concerns associated with autism and provides clear guidance on appropriate next steps
Who it is for: Parents of toddlers and young children who have developmental concerns, have received a flag from a nursery or pediatrician, or want clarity before pursuing a formal diagnostic assessment
Age focus: Toddlers and young children, with early identification as the primary clinical goal
Method: Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles, developmental history review, behavioral observation, and structured clinical interpretation
Format: Online consultation for families in Sharjah, with in-person sessions available at the Dubai clinic
Who Autism Screening for Toddlers Is For
The families who reach out for toddler autism screening in Sharjah are not all in the same situation. Some have been watching a concern build for months and cannot shake the feeling that something is different. Others had a pediatrician visit last week that ended with an unexpected flag and no real guidance. Some have already spent hours reading about autism online and are more confused now than when they started.
Autism screening for toddlers is relevant for:
Parents of toddlers and young children, including children from 14 months onward, who have noticed something in their child's development that they cannot explain
Families whose child was developing typically and then appeared to plateau or lose skills they had already built
Parents whose toddler does not respond to their name consistently, avoids eye contact, or rarely points to share interest in something
Families whose nursery in Sharjah, Muwailih, Al Nahda, or Rolla has raised a developmental concern and suggested further assessment
Parents who have been told by a pediatrician that their child may have autism and do not know what to do with that information
Families who are unsure whether what they are seeing is a speech delay, an autism-related pattern, or simply a late developmental start
Parents who want a clinical opinion before pursuing a formal diagnostic assessment
Families who have already had a screening elsewhere and want a second opinion from a specialist with direct UAE experience
The Problems Autism Screening for Toddlers Is Built to Address
A parent knows something is different but has nowhere to take that concern.
Early identification can help families understand developmental concerns sooner and decide whether further assessment or support is appropriate. If concerns persist, a structured consultation can help clarify the child's developmental and behavioral profile and guide the next step. Autism screening takes the concern seriously from the first conversation.
A nursery has raised a concern but has not explained what it means.
Nursery staff may notice patterns in a child's social interaction, communication, participation, or behavior that parents do not see at home. When a nursery flags that a child is not engaging with peers, not following group instructions, or communicating differently from other children, that observation can be useful clinical information. It is not an explanation, a diagnosis, or a plan. A developmental and behavioral consultation can help families consider that feedback alongside the child's broader developmental profile and understand the appropriate next step.
The family cannot tell the difference between autism and a speech delay.
These two things can overlap in ways that are genuinely confusing. A toddler who is not talking may have a speech delay with no autism connection. A toddler who speaks in full sentences may still have an autism-related social communication profile. A focused developmental and behavioral consultation can help put these concerns into the context of the child's broader developmental profile and guide the next step.
A pediatrician mentioned autism, and nobody explained what happens next.
Many families in Sharjah reach out after a pediatric appointment where autism was raised as a possibility and then left there. No explanation of what that means for this specific child. No guidance on what a family is supposed to do with that information. No clarity on whether a formal diagnostic assessment is the right next step or what that would involve. The screening consultation fills exactly that gap.
The family is unsure whether to wait or seek further guidance.
Developmental concerns that do not resolve on their own are worth bringing to a specialist. Getting a clinical picture earlier gives families more time to put the right support in place, but concerns identified later are still worth addressing.
What Happens During an Autism Screening for Toddlers
Step 1: Parent Consultation and Developmental History
The first part of the process is a conversation, and it goes deeper than most parents expect. Before anything else, the full developmental picture needs to be on the table. When did the child start talking? How do they communicate now? What does play look like? What has the family been noticing at home that brought them here in the first place? Medical background, social behavior, early milestones. All of it. This is not a form to fill in. It is a clinical interview that drives every decision made after it.
Step 2: Review of Existing Information
Any documentation the family has is reviewed before the screening consultation moves forward. Nursery reports, pediatric letters, previous developmental assessments, or written feedback from a teacher or early years practitioner may be useful. Where families arrive without documentation, the parent interview provides the clinical foundation. Having paperwork available helps the screening go deeper from the start, but its absence does not prevent a thorough process.
Step 3: Behavioral and Developmental Observation
The child's development and behavior are reviewed using structured observation where appropriate and ABA-based clinical frameworks. This looks at how the child communicates, how they respond to another person, how they play, how they react to new situations, and whether the patterns visible during the session align with early markers associated with autism spectrum disorder. With toddlers specifically, the observation is designed to be natural and child-paced rather than structured in a way that unsettles a young child.
Step 4: Clinical Interpretation
Everything gathered up to this point gets looked at together. The developmental history, what the family has been observing at home, how the child communicated and behaved during the session, and any existing reports all inform what comes next. The goal at this stage is not to reach a verdict from a single observation or a checklist. It is to understand what the full picture actually shows and whether it points toward a need for further assessment or a different kind of support.
Step 5: Action Plan and Recommendations
The consultation does not end with a summary. It ends with a specific plan. Depending on what the assessment shows, this might include recommendations for further formal assessment, suggestions for early intervention or therapy, strategies parents can start using at home straight away, or guidance on what to share with the child's nursery or school. Families leave knowing what the next step is and why, not with a list of things to look into on their own.
What Families Receive After the Screening
A clearer understanding of the child's developmental profile based on the consultation, available information, and observation where appropriate
An honest answer on whether the patterns seen warrant a formal diagnostic assessment and what that process involves
Specific early intervention or therapy recommendations where appropriate, including what to look for in a provider
Practical strategies parents can begin using at home during everyday routines to support communication and development
Guidance for the child's nursery or early years setting where appropriate
Clarity on the difference between what has been observed and what a formal autism diagnosis would require
A concrete next step rather than an open-ended suggestion to monitor the situation and come back in six months
Why Acting During the Toddler Years Makes a Clinical Difference
Early identification of developmental differences can help families access appropriate support sooner and make informed decisions about assessment and intervention.
Early intervention services can support a child's development and help children and families access appropriate support sooner.
Earlier identification of developmental concerns can also help families make informed decisions about further evaluation and intervention. The CDC notes that although early intervention is important, intervention can be helpful at any age.
This is not about creating alarm. It is about making a practical clinical decision at the right time. Earlier identification can help a family understand the child's needs and consider appropriate support sooner.
About Asha Susan Mani
Asha Susan Mani, BCBA (USA), is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and IBA-Certified Autism Specialist with more than 20 years of experience working with children with autism, speech delays, ADHD, and broader developmental differences across the UAE. She has supported more than 7,000 children and families and has supported more than 2,000 children in transitioning to mainstream education.
Toddler autism screening specifically draws on her ABA clinical framework alongside deep familiarity with how autism presents in young children, including presentations that are easy to miss or misread at this age. Many of the children who benefit most from early identification are not the ones whose differences are immediately obvious. They are the ones whose patterns are subtle enough to be explained away until they are not.
Families in Sharjah can access online consultation where appropriate, while in-person consultations are available at the Dubai clinic.
Author and Clinical Review
Author: Asha Susan Mani, BCBA (USA) | IBA-Certified Autism Specialist
Professional title: Senior Autism Consultant and Behavior Analyst
Clinic location: Karama, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Serving: Families in Sharjah and across the UAE. In-person sessions are available at the Karama clinic in Dubai, with online sessions available where appropriate.
“Asha is doing wonderful work with children on the autism spectrum. She is
highly professional in her approach, very systematic in her treatment design and interventions, and an
excellent facilitator between home and school. Parents often report how quickly their children have
transitioned into mainstream schooling after working under Asha’s guidance.”
★★★★★
ON
Dr. Onita Nakra
Educational Psychologist, Dubai
“My appreciation for your outstanding efforts in helping so many children
return to mainstream education. As you are aware, parents often face significant emotional challenges while
raising such wonderful children, partly due to societal reactions and partly due to rigid systems. I can
confidently say that you have done a great deal to ease that burden and support families through their
journey.”
★★★★★
SR
Dr. Sundar R
Dubai
“Mrs. Asha has been working with our son, Ahmed Khan, and we have seen clear
improvement over the past few months. Initially, Ahmed had frequent emotional outbursts, difficulty
following instructions, short attention span, and struggled with transitions between activities. Mrs. Asha
developed a structured plan and introduced simple, consistent strategies such as visual schedules, clear
first–then instructions, positive reinforcement, and planned transition warnings. She also guided us on how
to respond calmly and consistently during challenging behaviours at home. She regularly reviewed his
progress, adjusted goals when needed, and ensured we were involved in every step of the process. Ahmed is
now more settled, follows instructions better, and has improved in managing daily routines and transitions.
We are very grateful for Mrs. Asha’s guidance and support.”
★★★★★
SK
Mrs. Sara Khan
Parent · Behaviour Support
“Mrs. Asha has been supporting our daughter, Lavanya Nair (4 years old), who
was diagnosed with ADHD and was facing significant behavioural challenges in nursery. Initially, Lavanya had
difficulty sitting in class, frequent impulsive behaviours, emotional outbursts, and struggled with
following group instructions. The nursery also reported concerns about her attention and participation in
structured activities. Mrs. Asha conducted a detailed assessment and introduced a structured ABA-based plan
in coordination with the therapy team. She implemented clear routines, visual supports, reinforcement
strategies, and short, achievable task instructions to improve attention and compliance. Over a period of 4
months, we saw noticeable improvements. Lavanya is now more regulated in class, follows simple instructions
better, and her tantrums have reduced significantly. We are very grateful to Mrs. Asha and her team for
their consistent support and close collaboration.”
★★★★★
PN
Mrs. Priya Nair
Parent · ADHD Support
“Our son, Philip Cruz (3.5 years old), was referred to Mrs. Asha by his
nursery, Chubby Cheeks Nursery, Dubai, due to concerns around limited communication, difficulty following
group instructions, and frequent frustration during structured activities. When we started, Philip often
struggled with transitions and would become upset during classroom routines. Mrs. Asha conducted a detailed
assessment and introduced a structured behaviour plan using visual cues, consistent routines, and positive
reinforcement strategies. She also worked closely with his ABA therapist and the nursery team to ensure a
consistent approach across all environments. Within a few months, we noticed clear improvements. Philip is
now more settled in class, follows instructions more consistently, and is gradually engaging better with
peers and teachers. We are very grateful to Mrs. Asha for her guidance and practical strategies.”
★★★★★
EC
Mrs. Elena Cruz
Parent · Behaviour Support
“Our son, Arjun Menon (5 years old), was referred to Mrs. Asha by his
pediatrician at Aster Clinic, Al Qusais, for ADHD-related concerns, including inattention, hyperactivity,
and difficulty following instructions at home and school. Mrs. Asha conducted an assessment and introduced a
structured behavior plan using visual schedules, clear routines, reinforcement strategies, and parent
guidance. She also coordinated closely with the ABA therapist and school to ensure consistency across all
settings. Within a few months, Arjun showed noticeable improvement in attention, behavior regulation, and
daily routines. We are very grateful for Mrs. Asha’s support and structured approach.”
★★★★★
NM
Mrs. Neha Menon
Parent · ADHD Support
Autism Screening vs. Waiting to See What Develops
With Early Autism Screening
Without Structured Screening
Developmental clarity
Clearer understanding of developmental concerns
Developmental concerns may remain unclear
Next steps
Specific guidance on appropriate next steps
Families may remain uncertain about what to do next
Nursery communication
Guidance for the early years setting where appropriate
Nursery concerns may remain without a clear plan
Early intervention
Earlier identification can help families consider appropriate support sooner
Concerns may remain unclear while families decide whether further guidance is needed
Family stress
Greater clarity may reduce confusion and uncertainty
Uncertainty may continue while concerns remain unresolved
School readiness
Guidance can help families consider school-readiness support when appropriate
School-readiness needs may be addressed later if concerns remain unidentified
Frequently Asked Questions About Autism Screening for Toddlers in Sharjah
The terrible twos get blamed for a lot. And sometimes that blame is fair. But there is a difference between a toddler who melts down because they cannot have the biscuit they want and a toddler who does not turn around when you call their name, or who lost the handful of words they had at 14 months, or who lines up the same objects in the same order every single day without variation. One is frustration. The other is a pattern. If what you are seeing feels less like big emotions and more like something fixed, a screening gives you a clinical picture rather than another round of waiting.
Pointing to share interest is an important part of early communication development. If your toddler is not using gestures such as pointing to share interest, it is reasonable to discuss the concern with a qualified professional. The absence of one milestone does not by itself confirm autism.
Online consultation with Mrs. Asha Susan Mani is available for families in Sharjah who cannot easily travel to the Dubai clinic. The appropriate format depends on the child’s needs and the type of guidance required. If in-person observation is clinically appropriate, she can discuss this with the family.
This concern can be seen in children who come in for screening. A strong attachment to one object, paired with distress when routines are disrupted, is one of the behavioral patterns that forms part of the broader clinical picture. On its own it might not mean much. Combined with other things the family is noticing, it becomes more meaningful. A screening looks at the full picture, not just one behavior.
A pediatric developmental check covers a lot of ground in a short appointment. It looks at milestones across the board and flags anything obviously outside the typical range. Autism-specific screening goes much deeper into the things a general check does not have the time or specialist focus to examine properly, like how a toddler initiates communication, how they respond to other people, and whether their play and behavioral patterns fit a specific clinical picture. Many families in Sharjah come for a screening specifically because the pediatric check did not answer the question they were actually carrying.
18 months is actually one of the better times to seek input, not too early at all. The brain is developing at its fastest pace during the toddler years, which means early identification during this window gives families the longest runway to put support in place when it matters most. If something feels off at 18 months, that instinct is worth following up on rather than sitting on for another six months waiting to see what develops.
Nursery staff see your child across a full session in a group setting, which gives them a perspective on social behavior that is genuinely hard to see at home. When they flag something consistently, it usually means they have been watching a pattern rather than reacting to one difficult day. A screening puts that observation into the context of the child's full developmental picture so you know whether it is something to act on or something to keep an eye on. Either way, you leave with a real answer instead of an open question.
This is something families in multilingual households may ask when they are concerned about a child's communication. Growing up with two languages does not itself cause a speech or language disorder. A qualified professional can consider the child's communication across the languages they use, along with social interaction and overall development, before drawing conclusions.
A few patterns are worth acting on quickly rather than watching for another few months. If a toddler had words and then stopped using them, that is worth an urgent call. The same goes for a child who does not turn when you say their name, does not point to show you something interesting, or rarely makes eye contact during back-and-forth interaction. None of these confirm autism on their own, but together, or even individually, they are the kind of signals a specialist needs to look at during the toddler years rather than after them.
For a lot of families in Al Nahda, the online option works well and removes the stress of making the trip to Dubai with a young toddler. The parent interview and developmental history, which are genuinely the most important parts of the process, happen fully online. Whether direct in-person observation adds something for a specific child depends on the case. Mrs. Asha will tell you honestly after the initial conversation which format makes more clinical sense for your situation, rather than defaulting to one answer for every family.
On its own, repetitive play is common in toddlers and does not mean autism. But if the lining up is intense, the toddler gets very distressed when the order is disrupted, and there are other things you are noticing alongside it, that combination is worth a clinical screening. The screening looks at the full behavioral picture rather than making a judgment on one pattern in isolation.
Yes. Autism does not mean a child is unhappy or withdrawn in every situation. A toddler may smile, laugh, enjoy interaction, and appear very comfortable in familiar settings while still having differences in social communication, behavior, or development. The overall developmental picture matters more than any single behavior, which is why persistent concerns are best discussed with a qualified professional.
The consultation format and duration depend on the child's needs and the type of guidance required. It may include discussion of developmental history, review of concerns, observation where appropriate, clinical interpretation, and practical next-step guidance. Families are told from the start what can be covered in one session and whether a follow-up adds anything clinically useful.
Yes, and both of those things matter. Strong imitation alongside limited language comprehension is a specific pattern, and the consultation looks at both as part of a fuller picture of how the child is developing. Limited language understanding on its own can point in several different directions, so it gets assessed alongside communication, social interaction, and play rather than pulled out and read in isolation.
Online consultation is available with Mrs. Asha for families in Sharjah who cannot easily travel to the Dubai clinic, where the service is appropriate for the child’s needs. The appropriate format can be discussed with the family before the consultation.
The consultation concludes with practical guidance based on the child's developmental profile. Families can receive a clear explanation of what was observed, recommended next steps, and practical strategies for supporting communication and development at home. Where appropriate, guidance for the child's nursery or early years setting can also be provided.
Knowing letters and numbers does not by itself rule out developmental concerns. If a toddler also has difficulty responding to their name, using gestures such as waving, or pointing to share interest, those social-communication patterns are worth discussing with a qualified professional. The overall developmental picture is more important than any single combination of skills.
A consultation that does not identify significant developmental concerns can still give parents clearer guidance about what to monitor and when further professional advice may be appropriate.
Yes, and this is one of the most practical things that comes out of a screening. Nurseries in Sharjah often want to support a child appropriately but do not have the clinical framework to know how. Where appropriate, guidance from a specialist can help the nursery understand the child's needs and identify practical ways to support the child in the classroom.
Get in touch by phone or WhatsApp. The first step is a short conversation about your child's situation to make sure this service fits what you need. Online consultations may be available for families in Sharjah and across the UAE, depending on the child's needs and the type of guidance required. Have any nursery reports, pediatric letters, or your own written notes ready to bring into the consultation. If you have ongoing concerns about your toddler's development, seeking professional guidance can help you understand the next appropriate step.
Areas We Serve in Sharjah
We provide autism therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, ABA therapy, and child development support to families in Al Nahda Sharjah, Al Taawun, Al Khan, Al Qasba, Al Majaz, Al Mamzar, Al Qusais, Muwaileh, Al Yarmook, and Abu Shagara, as well as surrounding areas within approximately 10 km of Al Nahda, Sharjah.
Still Unsure Whether Your Toddler's Development Needs a Closer Look?
Parents may be unsure whether their concern is serious enough to warrant a consultation. That uncertainty is one reason a structured consultation can be useful. It is not a step reserved for families who are already certain something is wrong. It can help clarify the child's developmental profile and guide the next appropriate step.
Early identification can help families understand developmental concerns sooner and consider appropriate support when needed. Seeking guidance can also help parents make informed decisions rather than remaining uncertain about what to do next.
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