Autism spectrum disorder, usually shortened to ASD, is a developmental difference that affects how a child communicates, connects socially, plays, and responds to the world around them. By the age of 2, many of the early signs of ASD become more noticeable, since toddlers at this age are typically using simple words, pointing to ask for their needs, imitating adults, and engaging in early pretend play. When several of those expected behaviours are missing or look noticeably different, it is reasonable to want a closer look.
This guide focuses on the developmental signs seen around the age of two specifically, since that is the stage many parents in Dubai first begin to notice the differences around their child’s developmental milestones. This might be related to the nursery observation, a relative’s comment, or their own gut feeling that something is a little different.
This article is meant to inform, not diagnose. Only a qualified professional who has spent real time observing your child can determine what these behaviours indicate.
What Development Usually Looks Like at Age 2
Before looking at possible signs of autism, let’s first look at the developmental milestones most toddlers would achieve around their second birthday. There is a wide range of typical development here, but most 2-year-olds are beginning to demonstrate these communication skills:
- Putting two words together, like “more juice” or “mama up”
- Engaging in simple pretend play, like feeding a doll or talking on a toy phone
- Pointing at things to ask for them, and pointing to show you something interesting
- Following 1-2 step instructions, especially with a gesture attached
- Imitating adults during everyday routines, like pretending to sweep or stir
- Showing curiosity about other children, even before truly playing cooperatively with them
- Responding consistently when their name is called from across the room
None of this needs to develop perfectly or on a fixed schedule. Toddlers vary a great deal. What matters more is whether your child is showing several of these skills, and whether those skills are clearly progressing month to month rather than remaining unchanged.
Why Developmental Concerns Often Become More Noticeable at Age 2
2 years old happens to be a pivot point in Dubai’s early education system. Many nurseries here follow the British or American early years frameworks, and a child’s transition into a toddler or pre-KG classroom around this age often comes with closer observation of their language skills, social play, and group participation than a typical baby room requirement. Here is frequently where a teacher first notices their development and inform it to a parent, sometimes before the next scheduled paediatric visit even rolls around.
Language is another piece of the puzzle that comes up constantly here. A 2-year-old in a typical Dubai household might be hearing English at nursery, Arabic with a grandparent, and Tagalog, Hindi, or Filipino with a caregiver, sometimes all in the same day. Growing up multilingual does not cause autism, and it does not really explain reduced eye contact or a lack of interest in pretend play. Speech skills may genuinely take a little longer to develop in a multilingual home. Social connection, the use of gestures, and play skills are separate areas of development, and they are worth tracking on their own rather than being dismissed as “just the languages.”
There are also a practical reason families want someone who actually understands the system here. Some schools and nurseries in Dubai may ask for developmental information or supporting documentation if concerns have already been raised, and having someone who understands the educational system often makes that process much easier to navigate.
Signs Parents Notice During Everyday Activities
A checklist on its own rarely tells the full story, however, observing their behaviours across different everyday situations can help to provide a clearer picture.
During Play
- Rarely brings a toy over to show you, just to share the excitement of it
- Plays with one part of a toy, like spinning a car’s wheel, instead of using the whole toy
- Prefers lining up objects in a row over actually playing with them
- Shows little interest in pretend play like feeding a doll, or talking on a toy phone
- Plays alongside other children without really engaging with them
During Mealtimes
- Does not point, reach, or gesture to ask for more food or a specific item
- Has unusually strong preferences for certain food textures or smells
- Has difficulty to remain seated during mealtimes
- Rarely looks at you or smiles at you while eating together
- Does not imitate simple actions, like clinking cups or pretending to “cheers”
During Conversations
- Does not reliably turn or respond when their name is called
- Uses very few words to request for needs
- Repeats phrases or sounds heard from a TV show or from one of your conversations, without clearly using them to communicate a need
- Struggles to follow a short instruction, even one paired with a gesture, like “bring me the cup”
During Nursery Activities
- Does not join in with group action songs or simple circle time routines
- Does not imitate a teacher’s movements during structured play
- Prefers to play alone during free play rather than joining peers
- Becomes more distressed than other children during transitions between activities
- Shows little interest in turn taking games, like rolling a ball back and forth
A single behavioural pattern from the above rarely means much by itself. It is the same kind of behaviour showing up again and again, across play, meals, conversation, and nursery, that is worth paying closer attention to.
When the Concern Goes Beyond a Speech Delay
This is the part that genuinely confuses most parents, and reasonably so.
A speech delay without other developmental concerns at this age usually looks like a toddler who has fewer words than expected but still points, makes eye contact, brings you toys to share excitement, enjoys simple games, and clearly wants to interact with you and other children around. The communication style itself is intact and social. The words simply have not caught up yet.
Autism spectrum disorder tends to involve differences that go beyond word count. As referenced by the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom, reduced eye contact, limited use of gestures, less interest in pretend or shared play, and repetitive behaviour that often appear alongside any language delay, may indicate certain signs of autism spectrum disorder. Our speech delay versus autism explained guide breaks this down in more detail.
Typical toddler behaviour, sometimes referred to as “the terrible twos,” includes tantrums, a strong preference for routine, and bursts of independence followed by clinginess. These toddlers still respond to their name consistently, still seek out to a parent for comfort, and still shows interaction even during a difficult moment.
Autism itself relates to differences in brain development, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), current research points to a mix of genetic and environmental factors. It is not caused by parenting style alone, and it is not caused by vaccines, a theory that has been studied extensively and disproven again and again.
A general guideline: a delay in the development of words alone, with other developmental skills intact, usually points to a speech or language delay. A delay in words combined with reduced eye contact, limited pretend play, and repetitive behaviours is more likely to indicate the need of a comprehensive autism evaluation.
Autism Red Flags That Shouldn’t Be Ignored
You do not need to wait for the next scheduled checkup if a pattern of behaviours keeps showing up. A few situations are worth acting on sooner rather than later:
- Your 2-year-old has fewer words that they use for communication, neither do they point or has not started combining words
- There is little to no pretend play at all
- They have shown a noticeable regression in the use of words, gestures, or a skill they once acquired
- A nursery teacher has mentioned similar concerns to what you have already noticed at home
- Several of the above signs are observed consistently and during everyday situations
Trust what you are seeing. Parents pick up on developmental differences ahead of routine checkups with a paediatrician more often than people assume, especially when there is a family history of autism.
How Dubai Nurseries Sometimes Notice Signs First
There are incidents where the nursery or school may raise similar concerns even before a parent notices them, and there is a simple reason for it. Many nurseries in Dubai follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) or American early learning frameworks, both of which encourage teachers to regularly observe children’s communication, social interaction, and play skills as part of their development.
A few reasons nursery staff sometimes spot things earlier:
- Teachers see your child surrounded by fifteen or twenty other toddlers the same age, which makes certain differences in group settings, like joining action songs or taking turns at snack time, easier to notice through direct comparison
- Structured activities like circle time, music sessions, and group play reveal social and communication patterns that rarely come up the same way at home
- Many nurseries keep ongoing development logs and can usually share a written observation or progress report with parents on request
If a teacher has mentioned something to you, it is worth taking seriously rather than waiting to see if it resolves on its own. A nursery’s observation alongside your own at home gives a far more complete picture than either one by itself, and that combined picture is exactly what a behaviour analyst or speech and language pathologist consider during an evaluation.
What Happens After an Autism Evaluation in Dubai
Once a concern has been raised, either by a parent, or a paediatrician, or a nursery, families in the UAE generally move through a fairly predictable sequence.
- A paediatrician conversation or referral: This usually starts with a discussion at a child visit, sometimes supported by a short autism specific screening questionnaire.
- A developmental assessment: A specialist, often a psychologist, behaviour analyst, speech and language pathologist or a multidisciplinary team, observes the child directly and reviews developmental history across language, social interaction, and play.
- Therapy and early intervention services: Depending on what the assessment finds, this might include speech therapy, occupational therapy, or a structured ABA based early intervention program.
- Ongoing parent guidance: Most intervention plans include practical strategies parents can use at home alongside any formal therapy, since consistency between sessions and everyday life tends to make the biggest difference.
Many families choose to start this process by speaking with a developmental consultant first, to understand the procedures and to begin practical strategies right away while waiting on formal appointments. A typical consultation looks like this:
- A relaxed conversation about what you have noticed at home and at nursery, with no judgment attached
- A developmental history review, covering language skills, social behaviour, play, and the development of motor skills so far
- Direct, structured observation of your toddler at play, usually with simple toys in a comfortable setting
- A clear, practical plan, whether that means continued monitoring, a referral for formal evaluation, or to enrol them in early intervention strategies
How Early Assessment can support Families
- A real, specific answer instead of conflicting opinions from different relatives
- Less day-to-day anxiety once there is an actual plan instead of an open question
- An early intervention strategy that can begin right away if one is needed
- Documentation and guidance that helps with nursery and school conversations
- A clear and practical plan for supporting your child’s language skills, behaviour, and development of their play skills
Final Thoughts
Noticing something different about the developmental skills of your 2-year-old does not mean you have done anything wrong, and it does not decide their future. Many parents say the uncertainty itself is the hardest part, harder than whatever the answer eventually turns out to be. Getting clarity, whatever shape it takes, tends to bring real relief.
For families in Dubai who still have questions, Ms. Asha Susan’s experience working with children and parents across the UAE can provide reassurance, practical guidance, and a clearer understanding of the next steps. To learn more or speak with the team, contact Asha4Autism.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my 2-year-old actually needs an assessment, or am I just overthinking it?
This is something almost every parent asks us, and overthinking is rarely the real issue. If the same kind of concerns keeps showing up, not just about speech, but concerns related to eye contact, play, or how your child responds to their name, it is worth a short conversation with someone qualified. It costs you nothing to ask, and it usually brings relief either way.
My toddler’s nursery mentioned concerns about speech and social interaction. Should I worry?
Not always. Hearing this from a nursery can feel unsettling, but it does not automatically mean your child has autism or another developmental condition. Teachers spend their days with groups of toddlers the same age, so they sometimes notice differences in communication or social interaction earlier than parents do at home. However, these conversations means as parents you would have to pay closer attention to their social and language skills, and if the same concerns keep showing up at the nurseries an assessment can give you the real answers.
Should I wait for my paediatrician to bring autism up first or share what I have noticed?
If a concern has been on your mind for a while, it is worth asking about it. Parents often notice developmental differences long before they appear during a routine appointment.
Is it normal for a 2-year-old not to talk much yet?
Some toddlers are simply quieter talkers, and that is completely normal on its own. What we look at more closely is whether your child is still pointing, making eye contact, and trying to communicate in other ways. If those are missing too, it is worth mentioning at your next visit.
We received feedback at the PTM from his CBSE school in Deira, regarding his classroom interaction and communication skills. Should we take it seriously?
Yes. A feedback from the teachers during a PTM is usually based on watching your child alongside classmates the same age, which gives teachers a useful comparison point. It does not mean something is definitely wrong, but it is worth following up on rather than waiting to see if it passes on its own.
Where can I find someone who actually understands autism near me in Dubai?
Ms Asha works with families right across Dubai and is familiar with how the nurseries and schools, including Indian curriculum schools, usually handle these conversations. You can book a consultation directly, in person or online, depending on what works best for your schedule.
What if my toddler shows a regression of words or skills they already had?
Losing a word, gesture, or skill that was clearly present before is worth discussing with a professional. Parents often notice these changes first, and they are generally something doctors want to hear about.
Do I need to worry if my toddler doesn’t really look at me or respond when I call their name?
That pattern on its own is worth mentioning to your paediatrician, especially if it keeps happening across different settings. We often see this come up in toddlers who are otherwise doing fine in other areas, so it is more about checking than panicking.
Will my child even cooperate with someone they have just met?
Almost every toddler we see is a little unsure at first, and sessions are built around that. There is no pressure for instant cooperation. The first part is simply letting your child get comfortable through play, on their own terms.
What happens during an autism evaluation for a 2-year-old?
Most evaluations begin with a conversation about your child’s development, followed by observation during play and discussion about communication, behaviour, and everyday routines. The goal is understanding your child, not rushing toward a label.
Both of us work full-time in Dubai, can we get an appointment outside regular office hours?
Yes. Evening and weekend slots are available, mainly because so many of the parents we work with have busy, commute-heavy schedules. Online consultations are also an option if getting across the city right after work is not realistic.
What can we start doing at home while we wait for an appointment?
Simple things help more than people expect, like getting down on the floor to play at your child’s level, narrating what you are doing, and giving your child extra time to respond before stepping in. We can walk you through more specific strategies once we get to know your child a little better.
Is this going to fix everything quickly, or is it a long process?
There is no quick fix, and we would never promise one. However, early assessment can provide you a clearer picture sooner and a practical plan to build on, and that early start tends to make a real difference over time.
Can nursery teachers notice signs of autism before parents?
Sometimes they can. Nursery teachers spend their days observing groups of children the same age, which can make differences in communication, play, or social interaction easier to notice.
What should a parent in Dubai do if they notice signs of autism?
Start by paying attention to the observations or concerns you have regarding your child’s development. Writing down those observations can make conversations with your paediatrician or a developmental professional much easier and more productive.
