In 2023, the CDC reported that approximately 1 in 36 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to 2020 data. Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls. Most children were still being diagnosed after age 4, though autism can be reliably diagnosed as early as age 2.

There are several “red flags” for ASDs that you and your child’s healthcare provider can look for, such as if the child:

• does not babble or coo by 12 months of age
• does not gesture (point, wave, grasp, etc.) by 12 months of age
• does not say any single words by 16 months of age
• does not say two word phrases on his or her own by 24 months of age
• has ANY loss of ANY language or social skill at ANY age

If you have concerns about your child’s development and the possibility of an ASD, contact Courageous Counseling & Consulting. Jessica Harrison is experienced and trained in autism diagnosis and testing (ADOS-2). Her years of working with children creates a comfortable, safe environment for the child, and can help accurately assess and diagnose ASD. Let our team help you better understand your child’s development. Contact Courageous Counseling & Consulting today to schedule your child’s assessment.