It can be hard to tell if a child has autism because many children without the condition have some of the same behavior. Most children with autism spectrum disorder don t get a diagnosis until they re 4 or older.
But the U.S. Centers for Disease Control says that it s possible to get a reliable autism diagnosis as early as age 2. And many parents notice early signs before their child s first birthday and realize something is different by the time their child is 18 months old.
The earlier a child with autism begins treatment, the better the outcome. If you notice any of these signs or have concerns about your child s development, talk with his doctor.