 Myth number three. Autistic kids cannot be diagnosed as toddlers or preschoolers. But guess what? That's not true. Sometimes kids can get diagnosed as early as 6 to 12 months old, depending on what's going on. We're actually getting pretty good at spotting autism early. You might notice some early signs like delays in motor skills, issues with sleeping or eating, or the kiddo being really reactive or super passive. Actually, it's even better if you start early because you'll likely see better results. Early diagnosis means you can help your child understand what being autistic means, focus on their strengths, and make sure they're socially successful and supported without getting blamed for stuff that's not their fault.