okaforpeacee

@ladyprowess · 09 Dec 2021

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When is autism diagnosed?

Autism is a complex, lifelong developmental disability that typically appears during early childhood and can impact a person's social skills, communication, relationships, and self-regulation. Although autism is hard to diagnose before 24 months, symptoms often surface between 12 and 18 months.

Early diagnosis can make a huge difference in the lives of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families.

But it’s not always easy to make an ASD diagnosis. There’s no lab test for it, so doctors rely on observing the behaviors of very young children and listening to the concerns of their parents.

ASD has a very wide range of symptoms. Some people who are “on the spectrum” have severe mental disabilities. Others are highly intelligent and able to live independently.

Wherever your child falls on the spectrum, getting an autism diagnosis is a two-stage process, and it starts with your pediatrician.

Diagnosing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be difficult because there is no medical test, like a blood test, to diagnose the disorder. Doctors look at the child’s developmental history and behavior to make a diagnosis.

ASD can sometimes be detected at 18 months or younger. By age 2, a diagnosis by an experienced professional can be considered very reliable. However, many children do not receive a final diagnosis until much older. Some people are not diagnosed until they are adolescents or adults. This delay means that children with ASD might not get the early help they need.

Early signs of ASD can include, but are not limited to

• Avoiding eye contact,
• Having little interest in other children or caretakers,
• Limited display of language (for example, having fewer words than peers or difficulty with use of words for communication), or
• Getting upset by minor changes in routine.