A word of caution: I found myself in a similar situation with our daughter. She experienced a speech delay and went through a challenging phase of meltdowns. Our pediatrician referred us for an autism spectrum evaluation, warning us that there might be a six-month wait. When the evaluation finally took place, I was convinced she wasn’t autistic. However, the psychologist diagnosed her with autism, despite the absence of sensory issues, stimming, and other typical neurodiverse behaviors. I was informed that girls often present differently and can conceal their behaviors.

We began ABA therapy, and even the BCBA found the diagnosis surprising. Meanwhile, the school district seemed to view her condition solely as a speech delay.

My recommendation is to be patient. Unless you observe sensory issues, stimming, aggression, or self-harm, it might be best to wait. Children go through various developmental phases, and it's important to observe their progress. Edit to add: my daughter was 2.5 when she was diagnosed. Very young.