Later Autism Diagnosis Linked to Higher Risk of Mental Health Issues

A new study published in Nature suggests that the age at which a child is diagnosed with autism may indicate differences in their biology and development, with later diagnoses linked to higher risks of mental health disorders like depression.

Autism, a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting brain regions such as the cerebellum and amygdala, can impact social and emotional skills. Symptoms, including not responding to one’s name or avoiding eye contact, usually appear within the first two years of life.

Researchers, including those from the University of Cambridge, found that children diagnosed early show difficulties in social interaction, anxiety, and hyperactivity early on, but these challenges tend to remain stable. In contrast, children diagnosed later—often in late childhood—experience increasing difficulties during adolescence.

The study also found that later-diagnosed children are more likely to face mental health issues such as depression, PTSD, self-harm, and consequences of childhood maltreatment. Genetic analysis revealed that early-diagnosed autism had low correlation with educational attainment, cognitive aptitude, ADHD, and other mental-health conditions, whereas later-diagnosed autism showed significantly higher genetic links to ADHD and a broad range of mental health challenges.

The research analyzed data from studies published between 1998 and 2024, drawing from sources such as Google Scholar and PubMed, highlighting the importance of early detection and support for children with autism.