Many parents wonder about potential signs of autism in their little ones, but at what age can autism be reliably diagnosed, and is it worth stressing about before then?

Unlike many other chronic disorders, there is no medical test that can give parents a clear answer on whether their child has autism. Instead, parents, caregivers, and medical providers must look for developmental signs that emerge as the child ages—and these signs may or may not present in the early months (or years) of life.

About 1 in 44 children will receive an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis. And with so much prevalence, it makes sense that parents might feel concerned, especially if their child does not appear to be hitting developmental milestones at the same rate as their peers. However, not all developmental delays mean autism, nor do they mean that the child won’t eventually catch up. So then, how early can you detect autism? Here’s what parents and other caregivers need to know.

Does Autism Show Early?

“Does autism show early?” is a common question that parents have for pediatricians. Tracking developmental milestones—particularly those related to social and emotional development—is an important part of monitoring a child’s health in the first few years of life. And while many parents are quick to assume that something major is going on if things don’t appear to be on track, it’s helpful to be aware of when autism can really start to show up, as well as what it looks like.

Autism can show early, but the earliest age for autism diagnosis reliability is not until a child is two years old. It’s essential to keep in mind that the accuracy of evaluations based on the early signs of ASD can be hit or miss, and before age two it is possible that children who present with these signs may go on to be neurotypical.

Notably, while a reliable autism diagnosis cannot be made before 24 months, it is more likely than not that a child who is exhibiting signs of autism after 12 months of age will go on to be diagnosed with ASD. In one recent study that looked at developmental evaluations of 1,200 toddlers between ages 12 and 36 months, less than 2% of the children presumed to have autism were later found not to have the disorder. That being said, 24% of the children in the study who were considered neurotypical in early evaluations did in fact go on to get an ASD diagnosis.

There is no way to know with complete certainty whether a child does or does not have autism before at least the age of two (and for many children, the diagnosis comes much later). What parents can do, however, is educate themselves on the early signs so that they can seek out support when warranted—including early therapeutic intervention.

Signs of Autism in Babies and Toddlers

We recommend that all parents familiarize themselves with the CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” program, which was recently updated to reflect new research around social, emotional, cognitive, and physical milestones. Parents of babies and toddlers who are not meeting the listed milestones by the ages they are associated with are encouraged to let their child’s pediatrician know so that they can work together on a plan.

Some of the early delays that are most associated with a later diagnosis of autism include:

Failure to make eye contact
Strong negative reactions to changes in routine or environment
Limited communication related to age and peers
Lack of interest in social interactions with caregivers

If you are a parent whose child is exhibiting one or more of the early signs of autism, speak with your pediatrician for additional guidance on what you can do. Early screenings and interventions can be incredibly valuable for children with ASD, but before a certain age you may just be advised to continue paying close attention.

In need of additional support? Our team at Autism Specialty Group is committed to providing caregivers with the tools that they need to take action after an autism diagnosis. Learn more about us, and visit our services page for information on what we do. We also invite you to contact us with any direct questions or to set up a consultation.

Sources:

At What Age Can Autism Be Reliably Diagnosed?

Does Autism Show Early?

Signs of Autism in Babies and Toddlers