Baby Name Details (2024)

FAQs

Is it normal for a 2 year old not to respond to name? ›

A child who repeatedly does not respond to their name might be autistic, but they could also have other developmental conditions. For example, they might not be able to hear.

If your child is not responding to their name, they could have difficulty with something we call joint attention. Joint attention is simply when your child shares attention to the same thing as you. For example, looking to where you look and turning when you talk to them.

Speech-language pathologists working in early intervention often consider a young child's lack of response to their name as a potential sign of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It can also be an indicator of issues with receptive language skills.

The researchers looked at this skill over time in a group of children at high- and low-risk for ASD and ADHD (based on family history). They found that children at-risk of ASD and ADHD were more likely to fail to respond to their name at 12 months and 18 months than low-risk children.

Sometimes, it is because they aren't developing social skills as we would expect. Either way, we can work with a child/baby to help them learn to respond to their name. Children with significant social delays, such as those with autism, often don't respond to their name when called.

Most babies should start consistently responding to their name between 6 and 9 months old. However, every child is unique and may develop at their own pace. Responding to their name is an essential part of language and social development for your baby.

The milestone of responding to one's own name usually occurs between 4 and 9 months, according to the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA). Not all babies reach this milestone at the same time, of course, but most should be appearing to recognize their name with consistency between the ages of 7 and 9 months.

Both parents have the right to be involved in the naming process. So, if a father wishes to change the child's name, he needs the mother's parental consent. The mother also has the right to name a child.

There's no law that says you have to stick with a name you hate. If you feel very strongly, a legal name change might be the best cure for your remorse. "We have friends who changed their son's name when he was 9 months old," says one mom. "The new name definitely fits him better, and they're glad they did it."

When should I worry about my baby not responding to his name? ›

Not responding to name being called is also an early sign of autism. If you notice your child is not responding to their name (or very rarely) by their first birthday, it's extremely important that you bring this up to your child's pediatrician and call your local early intervention program.

The milestone of responding to one's own name usually occurs between 4 and 9 months, according to the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA). Not all babies reach this milestone at the same time, of course, but most should be appearing to recognize their name with consistency between the ages of 7 and 9 months.

A baby should be responding to their name by six or seven months of age. Some babies start doing this at three or four months of age. It is concerning if your baby is not showing this skill by seven months. “If your child's hearing is okay, you can expect that they will respond when their name is called.

The autism diagnosis age and intensity of autism's early signs vary widely. Some infants show hints in their first months. In others, behaviors become obvious as late as age 2 or 3. Not all children with autism show all the signs.