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This study retrospectively investigates the parenting experiences of mothers of two-year-old children who expressed concerns that their child may have autism up to when they were 4.5 years old. This study aims to identify early parenting challenges and joys and explore whether certain challenges are associated with a subsequent autism diagnosis.

Using a longitudinal design, this study draws from a cohort of 6,853 children, focusing on 103 mothers who reported concerns that their child may have autism when they were between 2 and 4.5 years old, compared to a demographically matched control group. It also tracks whether children initially flagged for autism concerns at 2 to 4.5 years had received a formal diagnosis by age eight.

Mothers of autistic children were more likely to mention early challenges with their child’s psychosocial development and family cohesion. However, the nature of the challenges discussed within these categories were similar across the two groups, suggesting that these two challenges, while important, are not definitive indicators of autism on their own. Many mothers highlighted their love and joy in watching their child develop. By age eight, 56% of the children who were flagged with autism concerns at aged 4.5 had an autism diagnosis, underscoring the importance of early concerns.

This novel research leverages a large, diverse longitudinal cohort to retrospectively explore mothers’ views on raising two-year-old children who were subsequently recognised as being autistic. It uniquely balances the exploration of parenting challenges with the highlights, offering a more holistic view of parenting a child who may later be diagnosed with autism, and considers the link between early parental concerns and challenges and subsequent autism diagnosis.