Can Autism be Diagnosed Before Age 2?

Yes. Can autism be diagnosed before age 2? In some children, signs can be detected by 18 months or younger, and by age 2 a diagnosis from an experienced professional can be considered reliable.

Screening vs diagnosis

Can autism be diagnosed before age 2? Screening is a quick check, not a diagnosis. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends autism specific screening at 18 and 24 months. A common screener, the M-CHAT-R, is designed for toddlers 16 to 30 months.

How early diagnosis is made

Can autism be diagnosed before age 2? Diagnosis uses a child’s developmental history plus direct observation of behavior. There is no blood test for autism.

What research says about reliability

Can autism be diagnosed before age 2? Studies on diagnostic stability show many early diagnoses remain consistent over time. One large study found autism diagnosis stability starting around 14 months in toddlers who received evaluations.

Another study reported high stability for diagnoses made at 18 months and 24 months in a high risk sample, while also noting that some children are not identified until later.

What we see in practice

Families often ask, Can autism be diagnosed before age 2? We see many referrals after a failed screener or missed milestones. The next step is a full evaluation and a support plan that targets communication, daily routines, and behavior.

Can autism be diagnosed before age 2? Yes, for some children. Can autism be diagnosed before age 2? If you have concerns now, do not wait for a later birthday to start screening and evaluation. Call Epic Minds Therapy to schedule an assessment and next steps.