The average age of autism diagnosis is approximately which of the following?

• A. 3 years
• B. 4 years
• C. 5 years
• D. 6 years

Answer: (B)

Autism is typically identified in early childhood, with the average age of diagnosis around four years. This reflects that many children show noticeable developmental differences by age 2–3, but the formal assessment often occurs after screening and a multidisciplinary evaluation, which can take some time and may be influenced by access to services. Even though signs can prompt concern earlier and some children are diagnosed around age 3, the midpoint age most commonly cited in practice and literature is about four years. Early screening tools, like those recommended at 18 and 24 months, aim to flag children who need a full evaluation sooner, but the official diagnosis tends to cluster around four years due to the time needed for thorough developmental assessment and differential diagnosis.