At what age are kids usually diagnosed with autism?

Children are typically diagnosed with autism between the ages of two-and-a half and six years old. While most children are diagnosed around three years of age, they can be diagnosed as early as one year old. However, diagnoses are more reliable if given after a child is fourteen months of age.

However, if a child is showing fewer symptoms or their symptoms are less pervasive, a child may not be diagnosed with autism until they are older. Caregiver input can help prevent a missed diagnosis because a child’s immediate caregivers may notice signs of autism within their routine and daily behavior that other people in the child’s life (such as teachers) may miss.

For more information, see our article Diagnosing Autism.