Getting an autism diagnosis

Autism is diagnosed by a medical professional, often a pediatrician or specialist.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), an autistic person must have both social and behavioral patterns that meet the criteria for autism spectrum disorder.

Someone might receive an autism diagnosis at 18 months or younger, but it’s more common to get diagnosed around 2 years old.

Still, some people don’t get a diagnosis until much older or until adulthood.

When diagnosing ASD, clinicians may look for patterns in communication like:

difficulty with back-and-forth conversation

differences in nonverbal communication like facial expressions or body language

difficulty adjusting behavior to different social settings

A doctor may also look at these behavioral patterns when screening for autism:

specific movements, actions, or gestures

strong attachment to routine

specific, strong interests

differences in sensory processing

Many autistic people see autism as an identity, not as a condition to be treated. But if you’re experiencing challenges related to being autistic, there are many ways to find support, depending on your needs.

If you’re a parent of an autistic child, you can get some tips for how to support your child here. And if you’re an autistic adult, you can learn more about strategies, support, and therapies here.

When learning what kinds of resources your autistic child needs, it can help to research your options and talk to doctors. Deciding what’s best for your child will depend on the level of support they need and what’s available to you.

While there’s no single way to support autistic people, professionals often agree that the earlier you can connect with support services, the better. Many forms of support — especially for autistic children — can help them feel safe and understood.