what age is autism diagnosed

Autism can sometimes be detected at 18 months of age or younger, and by age 2, a diagnosis by an experienced professional can be considered reliable. However, most children with autism are not diagnosed until after age 3, even though healthcare providers can often see developmental problems before that age. The autism diagnosis age and intensity of autism’s early signs vary widely, and some infants show hints in their first months, while others show behaviors that become obvious as late as age 2 or 3. The earliest age for autism diagnosis reliability is not until a child is two years old, and the accuracy of evaluations based on the early signs of ASD can be hit or miss. However, research shows that early detection and early intervention greatly improve outcomes, so its important to look for symptoms of autism when a child is as young as possible. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends all children be screened for autism between 18 and 24 months of age, and a study published in 2019 found that it was possible to diagnose autism as early as one year into a child’s life. The average age of children diagnosed with autism is around three years old in both the United States and the United Kingdom.