The median age of autism diagnosis is five years old, although members of disadvantaged populations such as minorities and rural dwellers often receive evaluations even later. Those numbers may shift in coming years. Promising emerging technology that tracks eye movements for clues to mental functioning is now making it possible to screen babies as young as three-months old.Until this technology become cost-effective and widely accessible, cognitive assessments offer the most reliable diagnoses of ASDs.

They are focusing on the following objectives:

Obtaining an accurate diagnosis by interpreting patterns of symptoms and impairment

Targeting areas for intervention

Customizing a course of treatment

Establishing appropriate educational supports

Gaining insight into the child's inner world and finding points of relational connection

Gauging a child's progress through normal developmental milestones is one purpose of pediatric wellness visits typically scheduled between a child's birth and third birthday. During these appointments, physicians look for early indicators of developmental delays such as those typically found among autistic children. Sadly, not all doctors screen for early detection or pay attention to caregiver's concerns. A parent who raises questions about a child's speech delays, failure to make eye contact, and disconnection from peers may be dismissed with explanations that the child has a learning disability, behavior problem, or is simply just eccentric. If symptoms remain undetected and children fall through the cracks, children miss opportunities to receive treatment early, when it is most beneficial. Therefore, it is important that parents with persistent concerns trust their instincts and pursue further evaluation, even if a primary doctor minimizes their concerns.