Timely autism diagnosis — before 4 years of age — improves treatment

Early diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) — before the age of 4 — means that behavioral therapy is more likely to be provided. After that age, children are less likely to receive behavioral therapy, and rather are more likely to receive medication, according to research published last month. If the delay is more than two years between the parents' first discussions with a provider and an autism diagnosis, the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) — which is not evidence‐based — is more likely.