Why do pediatricians sometimes delay diagnosis? Is there any harm in delaying diagnosis?
Some physicians and professionals are hesitant to diagnose autism at very early ages because they see many children who have slight or brief delays, and then appear to catch up and develop normally. As parents or caregivers, you see your child every day. Where you may see a pattern or ongoing concern, your pediatrician may only see shyness during the course of a brief office visit, or a mild delay. There may also be a belief that if the child is labeled with a problem too early, parents may reduce expectations for the child and restrict the child’s access to typical experiences and opportunities. Thus, professionals may take a “wait and see” stance which delays diagnosis. Although such concerns may seem valid, the benefits of early diagnosis vastly outweigh the risks. These benefits include the relief parents may feel in having their concerns validated and in their ability to address the problem as early as possible. Many experts agree that it is harmful to delay a diagnosis. Time is o
