
Early diagnosis of autism in the community is associated with marked improvement in social symptoms within 1-2 years
It is widely believed that early diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder is essential for better outcome. This
is demonstrated by the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation to screen all 1.5–2.5-year-old toddlers for
autism spectrum disorder. However, multiple longitudinal studies of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder
at 1.5–6 years of age and treated in community settings have not reported any associations between earlier diagnosis
and improved outcome in core autism spectrum disorder symptoms.