Autism question

Anyone know at what age it's usually diagnosed by? It's not something I worry actively about, but it's always in the back of my mind.

Thanks.

Re: Autism question

It can be diagnosed as young as 2

Re: Autism question

I have heard around 18 months some signs may start to appear but it can take awhile to diagnose even after that (up to 2 yrs old). (asked my Dr.)
I know it is a scary thought I sometimes wonder myself!

Message edited 4/4/2007 9:13:30 AM.

Re: Autism question

So by 2 I can stop worrying? I know it's more common in boys, and Andy was later to speak than Sarah by a few months, so I've been a little concerned.

Re: Autism question

It can be diagnosed as early as 18 months or 2, but some children aren't diagnosed until much later that. If you have any concerns at all, you should speak to your ped. Often,
s/he can rule out autism, or let you know the specifics about which you would need to have some level of concern.

Re: Autism question

Definitely talk to your doctor if your concerned, children are diagnosed at age 3 and 5 also

Re: Autism question

they are looking at kids as young as 6 months now for "markers" that would increase the risk.. some kids diagnosed at 18 months or 2 go on to develop normally without autism.. but usually by 18 months - 3 years they know.

Re: Autism question

I actually found this:

Among the early signs and symptoms that parents and Pediatricians look for to alert them that a child needs further evaluation for autism include:

not smiling by six months of age
not babbling, pointing or using other gestures by 12 months
not using single words by age 16 months
not using two word phrases by 24 months
having a regression in development, with any loss of language or social skills
Infants with autism might also avoid eye contact, and as they get older, act as if they are unaware of when people come and go around them, as you can see in this autism screening quiz.
Keep in mind that autism usually isn't diagnosed until about age 3, although some experts believe that some children begin to show subtle signs as early as six months of age.

There is also an autism study that showed that some children with autism had abnormal brain growth. Specifically, they had a smaller than average head size at birth (at the 25th percentile), but then had a period of rapid head growth during which their head size moved up to the 84th percentile by age 6-14 months. But rapid head growth is not a sign in all kids with autism.

In general, if you are concerned about your child's development, especially if you think that they might have autism, you should talk to your Pediatrician and consider a more formal developmental evaluation.

Message edited 4/4/2007 10:09:31 AM.

Re: Autism question

Thanks. At his last appt (February - 6 mos) they said it was too early really to see. But then lately there's been all this stuff about diagnosing at 6 months so I got a little nervous. I'll bring it up again when we go in a few weeks.

Re: Autism question

they say another way to see if your child is autistic is by age 1 if they dont respond to their name, look at you when you call them show no resopnse get to the dr asap- early intervention is key!!!!

Re: Autism question

i work with preschool children-12 year olds who have autistism /PDD/are on the spectrum and a lot of doctors wont even diagnose it till they are 5-6 years old, most of the kids i treat who are between 2-5 are obviously on the spectrum but if you looked in their file/charts, most of the doctors/developemental pediatricians have a diagnoses of emotionally disturbed or developmentally delayed not autism. It really depends on who you bring them too (e.g. doctor) pediatrician