Autism usually appears before age

• A. 2 years
• B. 4 years
• C. 5 years
• D. 3 years

Answer: (D)

Autism spectrum disorder is usually recognizable in early childhood, with signs that emerge before a child turns three. Think about how social communication and interaction start to diverge from typical development in the first few years—things like limited eye contact, not responding to name, delays in spoken language, and a preference for repetitive routines. These early patterns tend to become noticeable by age two or three, which is why the standard teaching emphasizes an onset before age three. While some children may show signs a bit earlier or later, onset by around three is the most commonly cited window in assessments and screenings.