Can autism be detected before birth?

Currently, there is no reliable way to detect autism before birth. Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that becomes noticeable through behaviours and developmental patterns in infancy or early childhood. While genetics play a strong role, there is no prenatal test that can confirm whether a child will be autistic. Diagnosis is based on observing how a child interacts, communicates, and develops over time. Ongoing research is exploring early brain development and genetic markers, but no screening method exists during pregnancy.

If you're monitoring early signs in your child, talk to our team about early assessments.