Does it Mean your child’s autism is worse if they get diagnosed younger?

[PinkBump2022]

Iv seen kids not getting diagnosed until 4-5-6 but my little boy wasn’t even 2 and he’s on the sever end. Is it always the case?

My little boy is the same but he’s been getting assessed since 12 months! I think it depends on the area you live in and having good support system from hv and professionals such as nursery picking up on it. my hv was brilliant and got him a sen worker straight away.

@Mumto1yearold my hv was terrible wouldn’t even consider any of it until
hus 2 year check do I spoke to a dr about it

Yes and no. I was referred at 6 and diagnosed at 8. Mainstream primary and secondary and was living on my own (just moved back with my parents, purely on a financial basis not because I couldn’t cope) Now that’s probably seen as late, but at the time I feel it was early for someone with ‘low support needs’ to be diagnosed. Because some people are so good at masking it can mean the signs go unnoticed by professionals and teachers. My sister on the other hand autism is ‘severe’ as it limits her day-to-day living, however, she has an above-average IQ and good GCSEs but struggles with her hygiene and hasn’t left the house in 5 years. Only at 25 have we realised that she is likely autistic and is awaiting diagnosis.

So yes, people who will need ‘higher support needs’ are likely to be diagnosed earlier because they show signs sooner. However some people (particularly girls) are really good at masking and go on diagnosed for years, but that doesn’t mean that problems are any less ‘severe’.

Has he been diagnosed? Is he under the autism team in your area already?

Impossible to say. Girls in particular are good at social masking and often fly under the radar and get diagnosed later than boys.