Watching a child lose words, eye contact, or social skills they once had is one of the most alarming experiences a parent can face — and it happens in a significant proportion of autism cases. Developmental regression in the second year of life is a recognized autism pattern, and it calls for immediate evaluation rather than a wait-and-see approach.
When developmental regression is a red flag for autism
Developmental regression — the loss of previously acquired skills — is documented in approximately 15–40% of autism cases. It typically occurs between 15 and 24 months, though the exact timing varies. Parents describe a child who was saying 10–20 words, waving, making eye contact, pointing, and responding to their name — and then, over weeks or months, those skills faded or disappeared. This is not the same as a child who never developed those skills; the regression makes it particularly alarming because parents know what their child was capable of. This regression pattern is sometimes called autistic regression or setback autism. Review the full range of autism signs to understand how regression fits into the diagnostic picture.
The causes of regression in autism are not fully understood — research has explored genetic, immunological, and environmental factors. What is clear is that regression is not caused by vaccines (this has been extensively studied and definitively disproven), and it is not caused by something a parent did or didn’t do. If you are observing regression — especially loss of words, loss of response to name, or withdrawal from social interaction — this is a medical situation that requires urgent evaluation, not watchful waiting. Contact your pediatrician the same week you notice the regression, not at your next scheduled well-child visit. A developmental evaluation should follow immediately.
What to do if you’re worried — and how ABA can help
If you are observing regression right now, act immediately. Contact your pediatrician this week. Request an Early Intervention evaluation if your child is under 3 — New Jersey Early Intervention has a 45-day timeline to evaluate once a referral is made, and you don’t need a diagnosis to qualify for services. Don’t wait to see if the skills come back; the window for early intervention produces the best outcomes, and every month matters. The research on early ABA is clear: the earlier intervention begins, the better the long-term results.
Early intensive ABA therapy after regression has strong evidence for helping children recover lost skills and continue to develop. The therapy is individualized to the child’s current profile and targets the specific skills that have been lost alongside new developmental goals. At Autumn ABA, we work with families as early as possible to begin building skills during this critical window. Contact us today — don’t wait for a diagnosis to start the conversation. Visit our parent resources for guidance on what to expect from the evaluation and intervention process.
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Schedule a free consultation Our ABA programs →Frequently asked questions
Can a child regress developmentally without having autism?
Yes, though it’s less common. Developmental regression can occur in other contexts including significant environmental stressors, certain metabolic or neurological conditions, and sometimes around the birth of a sibling or a major life change. However, regression in the 15–24 month range, especially involving language and social skills, should always be evaluated for autism. Other causes need to be ruled out by a physician as well. Regression is never something to dismiss or attribute to normal variation without evaluation.
Should we wait and see if the skills come back on their own?
No. This is one situation where “wait and see” is clearly the wrong approach. Skills lost in autism regression do not typically return spontaneously without intervention. Every week without targeted support during this period is a missed opportunity during a critical developmental window. Request an evaluation immediately, and begin whatever early intervention services you can access in parallel with the diagnostic process.
This page is general educational information, not medical advice. Every child is different — a BCBA can assess your child’s specific needs. Autumn ABA serves families in all 21 NJ counties; see where we provide ABA therapy.