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The diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) made before age 3 has been found to be remarkably stable in clinic‐ and community‐ascertained samples. The stability of an ASD diagnosis in prospectively ascertained samples of infants at risk for ASD due to familial factors has not yet been studied, however. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends intensive surveillance and screening for this high‐risk group, which may afford earlier identification. Therefore, it is critical to understand the stability of an ASD diagnosis made before age 3 in young children at familial risk.

Data were pooled across seven sites of the Baby Siblings Research Consortium. Evaluations of 418 later‐born siblings of children with ASD were conducted at 18, 24, and 36 months of age and a clinical diagnosis of ASD or Not ASD was made at each age.

The stability of an ASD diagnosis at 18 months …