214 | what autism looks like in toddlers (and why it’s often missed)

about this episode (+ scroll for resources) 👇

one of the biggest misconceptions parents hear is:

“they’re too young to diagnose autism.”

but research tells us something very different.

in this episode, dr. tay breaks down what we actually know about early autism diagnosis, including how autism can present in toddlers, why early signs are often missed or explained away, and what parents should be paying attention to when something feels different.

you’ll also learn why the phrase “wait and see” can sometimes do more harm than good and how to think about timing, evaluations, and support through a neurodiversity-affirming lens.

in this episode, you’ll hear:

• why autism can be reliably diagnosed much earlier than many parents are told
• how to recognize patterns that may point toward autism in toddlers
• why “wait and see” advice can sometimes delay meaningful support
• how an early diagnosis can shift understanding, accommodations, and access to services
• what it looks like to advocate for your child when something feels different

timestamps

00:00 what age can autism actually be diagnosed?

07:22 why early diagnosis matters

12:26 “mindful waiting” vs. “wait and see”

20:03 access to supports and services

24:02 early autism signs in toddlers

34:10 trusting your instincts and advocating early

resources

⚡️ autism traits guide — a $7 parent-friendly resource breaking down autism diagnostic criteria and sharing more in-depth traits

⚡️ nuanced discussions on ABA: episodes 26, 59, 128, and 131

⚡️ learn more about diagnostic evaluations for young children through dr. tay concierge clinical care

⚡️study referenced in today's episode (Pierce et al., 2019)