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Why Doesn’t My Autistic Child Respond When I Call Their Name?

Not responding right away does not always mean your child is ignoring you. They may be deeply focused, need extra time to process what they heard, or have difficulty filtering your voice from other sounds. Move closer, gently gain their attention, use a short direction, and pause before repeating yourself. In busy or unsafe places, stay close and use visual or physical safety supports rather than relying only on calling their name from a distance.