A new research study reveals autism diagnosis can be made shortly after a child’s first birthday — months before the routine pediatrician screening. The study of more than 1,200 kids published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics showed better outcomes when autism is diagnosed earlier and treatments can begin sooner.
An ASD diagnosis tends to remain when diagnosed at 14 – 16 months. In fact, 79% of the kids diagnosed at 14 months retained the autism label as did 83% of those diagnosed at 16 months. On the other hand, only 50% of kids diagnosed at 12 – 13 months still had the diagnosis at their re-evaluation a few years later.
While the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends autism screenings for all children at 18 and 24 months, a screening at 12 to 13 months could offer intervention sooner for better outcomes.
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