It is often difficult to make a definitive diagnosis prior to age 2 or 3; however, recent research has begun identifying predictive behaviors in children as young as 12 months. Parents are usually the first to notice unusual behaviors. A parent with concerns about their child’s development should ask the child’s doctor about autism screening or request a referral for a developmental evaluation.
A medical evaluation of autism may be made by a physician or psychologist with expertise in diagnosing ASD. The evaluation may include: