Detection is often made when your child is at least two. But you or a teacher who spends a lot of time with your child may recognize the early signs of autism.
One in 68 children born in the United States has an autism spectrum disorder, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Despite that number, babies are not typically diagnosed by a physician until they are at least two years old. In many cases, diagnoses are made during pre-school and kindergarten.
Fortunately, there are tests for early signs of autism in babies. The American Academy of Pediatrics calls for screening for early signs of autism in toddlers between the ages of 18 and 24 months because those are the ages when screenings are most effective. And a study was done at the University of California-San Diego School of Medicine for screening for signs of autism in babies as young as one year.
For more information: Autism