Every child grows and learns in their own way. Some kids begin talking early, while others take more time. Some love exploring new environments, while others prefer familiar routines. Differences in development are common, and noticing those differences can naturally bring up questions for parents.
If you’ve recently found yourself wondering about your child’s communication, behavior, or play skills, you are not alone. Families in Naperville, Aurora, Warrenville, Lisle, and surrounding communities often share the same goal: clarity, support, and a trusted partner who understands their child.
That’s where we come in. At Cultivate Behavioral Health & Education, we offer free, research-backed developmental screenings (the M-CHAT-R and CAST) that you can complete from home. And once you’ve taken a screening, our team will personally follow up to help you understand what the results might mean and what comes next.
What Are Early Signs of Autism?
Autism looks different for every child, and there is no one “profile.” However, there are certain developmental markers that may signal that a child could benefit from a developmental screening.
Here are some common early signs that may appear in toddlers or preschoolers:
Communication & Language
- Limited use of words or gestures
- Not responding to their name consistently
- Echoing words or repeating phrases without clear meaning
- Not yet pointing to show interest (for example, pointing at an airplane in the sky)
Social Interaction & Play
- Preferring to play alone more often than with others
- Limited eye contact
- Not yet showing or sharing interests (like bringing objects to you)
- Difficulty engaging in pretend play (such as feeding a doll)
Behavioral Patterns
- Enjoying routines and becoming upset with unexpected changes
- Hand-flapping or other repetitive movements
- Strong interests in specific objects or topics
- Sensitivity to sounds, textures, or lights
Seeing one or more of these does not mean your child has autism. These signs simply tell us: it may be helpful to take a developmental screening.
Why Early Developmental Screening Matters
Early screening helps identify developmental differences as early as possible, which allows families to:
- Understand their child’s strengths and needs more clearly
- Access helpful resources sooner
- Build supportive strategies at home, daycare, or preschool
Research consistently shows that early understanding and early support can make a meaningful difference in communication, learning, and confidence.
Quick Develpmental Screening Tools Parents Can Use at Home
The two most widely used screening tools for early autism signs are:
M-CHAT-R (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers)
- Designed for children 16–30 months
- Quick and simple — typically 2–3 minutes to complete
- Helps identify behaviors that may benefit from further evaluation
Click here to take the M-CHAT-R Screening Tool.
CAST (Childhood Autism Spectrum Test)
- Designed for children 4 years and older
- Helps parents reflect on how their child plays, communicates, and interacts with others
Click here to take the CAST Screening Tool.
Both tools are non-diagnostic, meaning they don’t provide a diagnosis, but they can help determine whether a full developmental evaluation would be helpful.
How Cultivate BHE Helps Support Families in Naperville
At Cultivate Behavioral Health & Education, we believe that every family deserves clarity, compassion, and a partner they can trust. We partner with a trusted virtual diagnostician so if your screening indicates that a formal evaluation may be necessary, getting a formal evaluation is quick and accessible.
Why Naperville families choose Cultivate:
- Fast, parent-friendly screenings with instant results and an option to schedule a free consultation with our team.
- Direct connection to diagnostic partners (including Dr. Jazmin Burns/Burns VPS) so families have a clear pathway to an evaluation when it’s appropriate.
- Actionable next steps—from therapy and educational supports to community resources and long-term planning.
Families we support come from all across the Naperville community; whether you’re near Downtown Naperville and the Riverwalk, along the 75th Street corridor, close to Route 59, or in nearby neighborhoods like Warrenville, Lisle, Aurora, and Bolingbrook. No matter where you’re located, our screening tools can be completed from home, and our dedicated team members are ready to guide you through the next steps of the journey.
If you have any questions about your screening results, or are interested in knowing about your next steps, contact our team. We are here to walk you through every step of the way.
