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Too Young for a Diagnosis? Why Early Intervention for Autism Can’t Wait

  • Rachel Freedman, BCBA and autism mom, used milestone tracking, responsive parenting, and early intervention strategies to help her son Max go from nonverbal to conversational before age 4. Her story illustrates how informed action—taken early—can change a child’s developmental trajectory.
  • Not all delays require waiting; Max got a diagnosis at 13 months. Parents who use tools like the CDC Milestone Tracker and trust their instincts can identify concerns earlier, start services faster, and maximize their child’s learning potential during the most critical years.
  • Engaged parenting—without over-reliance on screens or toys—can build language and connection in meaningful ways. Rachel’s approach emphasizes time spent interacting, observing, and following the child’s lead, especially when traditional play isn’t yet motivating.
  • Mary Barbera’s Turn Autism Around® resources complement these strategies with a clear 4-step approach, helping parents increase talking, reduce tantrums, and improve daily routines—even before a diagnosis. Get free tools and training at MaryBarbera.com.

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When it comes to autism, early intervention can be life-changing—and no one knows that better than Rachel Freedman, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), special education administrator, and mom.

In this powerful interview, Rachel shares how her professional background and parental instincts helped her recognize the earliest signs of autism in her son Max, who was officially diagnosed at just 13 months old. By acting quickly and accessing early intervention services during the most critical window of brain development, Rachel was able to help Max go from being nonverbal to telling stories, singing songs, and thriving in preschool—all before his fourth birthday.

Her story is a testament to the power of early intervention for autism, informed advocacy, and hope.

From BCBA Professional To Autism Mom

Rachel Freedman began her career working in early childhood settings, inspired by her mom, an early intervention director. After earning her master’s in behavior analysis, she became a BCBA and special education administrator. But everything changed when her son Max showed signs of autism before his first birthday.

“I noticed Max wasn’t making eye contact or tracking visually—even by three months. I trusted my gut and made the call to early intervention myself.”

While I became a BCBA after my son was born, I can relate to being a professional and autism mom and even did research on the experiences of autism moms in the behavior analysis field. 

Too Young for a Diagnosis? The Power of Early Intervention

Early intervention—starting therapy and support as soon as developmental delays or signs of autism are noticed—has been shown to significantly improve outcomes in communication, learning, and daily living skills.

According to the CDC, early intervention services can “greatly improve a child’s development” and may reduce the need for more intensive services later in life .

Research also shows that the brain is most adaptable during the first three years of life, making this window of time critical for building foundational skills.

Programs that include speech therapy, occupational therapy, and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) can help children with autism or developmental delays make meaningful gains—especially when tailored to each child’s strengths and needs. Even before a formal diagnosis, families can start taking action with state early intervention services or my online courses. 

Rachel’s son Max, was diagnosed at just 13 months…is it too early? Not if it gives access to life changing early intervention for autism.

early intervention for autism. Autism early signs. Courses for early autism
Noticing early signs of autism and starting parent led intervention can change lives.

What Were the Earliest Signs of Autism You Saw in Max?

Despite a high-risk pregnancy and some medical complications at birth, Rachel’s background helped her spot early red flags:

  • Lack of eye contact or visual tracking

  • No recognition of familiar faces—only responses to voices

  • Early delays in feeding, sleeping, and motor milestones

She used the CDC Milestone Tracker starting at birth to stay ahead of developmental concerns and Max received an autism diagnosis at 13 months of age thanks to Rachel’s quick reaction to noticing his delays. 

What Did You Do After Noticing These Delays?

Rachel didn’t wait for a doctor’s referral—she made one herself:

“You don’t need to wait for a pediatrician to take action—you can refer yourself to early intervention and save critical time.”

What Helped Max the Most in the Early Years?

Rachel shared that three things made the biggest difference:

  1. Direct Engagement – Spending intentional time playing and interacting helped her learn Max’s strengths and needs.

  2. Monitoring Milestones – Using tools like the CDC app gave her clear benchmarks.

  3. Being Proactive – She pursued services immediately and adjusted intensity based on progress.

Are you ready to be proactive and learn how to engage your child with or without autism? Try a free workshop.

How Can Parents Advocate for Early Intervention and Autism Services Without Burning Out?

Rachel stressed the importance of picking your battles and focusing on the basics:

  • Prioritize core needs like feeding, sleeping, and communication

  • Say “yes” to the most effective supports and “no” to overwhelm

  • Build your own support village—for your child and for yourself

“Being a strong advocate doesn’t mean saying yes to everything. It means staying focused on what matters most.”

What Do You Want Autism Professionals to Understand?

Even well-resourced families like Rachel’s still face immense challenges. As a professional and a parent, she is able to see both sides in a way she couldn’t before. She encourages professionals to consider:

  • The complexity of daily life for autism families

  • The emotional and physical toll of long-term caregiving

  • The importance of empathy and realistic expectations

“Even with one child, two parents, and a BCBA mom—it’s still really hard. Professionals need to know how much families are juggling.”

What Should Autism Parent Training Focus On First?

If Rachel had one hour to train new autism parents, here’s what she’d teach:

  • How to pair and build joyful, reinforcing relationships

  • How to encourage communication at every opportunity

  • How to embed learning into daily activities like feeding, dressing, and playing

If you are a parent who wants to learn how to engage your child whether they are in therapy or not try a free workshop
early intervention for autism. ABA for autism. Pros and cons of ABA

What If ABA Seems Too Rigid or Isn’t Working?

It’s a concern many parents share: “I’ve heard ABA is too strict… too robotic… too one-size-fits-all. Is it really the right fit for my child?” Check out the 4 myths and truths to ABA.

Rachel Freedman, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and autism mom, understands these worries firsthand. While she fully supports the science of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), she acknowledges that how ABA is implemented can vary drastically from one provider to another. Overall, ABA is important for autism early intervention.

“Although I’ve seen rigid, cookie-cutter programs, ABA itself is incredibly flexible. It’s not about forcing children to sit at a table and memorize—it’s about using positive reinforcement and individualized teaching to help them learn in ways that are meaningful to them.”

If ABA isn’t working for your child—or doesn’t feel like the right fit—it may not be the science that’s the problem. It might be the provider, the teaching style, or the lack of collaboration with you as the parent.

Here’s how to make ABA work better for your family:

  • Ask for a child-friendly, play-based approach. Programs that incorporate activities the child enjoys, positive child friendly language, and motivation-based learning are often more effective and enjoyable for young kids. Learn More.

  • Make your voice heard. As the parent, you are the expert on your child. If something doesn’t feel right—or isn’t working—speak up. A good ABA team will adapt and problem-solve with you.

  • Set shared goals. Make sure the team is focused not just on compliance or “checking boxes,” but on meaningful progress like increasing communication, reducing frustration, and building daily living skills.

Rachel also recommends that families explore ABA programs and therapists who use a compassionate, relationship-based model—one that sees your child as a whole person, not just a list of behaviors to change. 

“Good ABA is flexible, individualized, and fun. It can—and should—look like joyful play, not rigid drills.”

If you’ve tried ABA and it didn’t seem effective, don’t give up hope. Look for providers who align with your values, ask questions about their methods, and remember: ABA is a tool, not a formula. When used correctly, it can be life-changing.

How Is Max Doing Now?

At nearly 4 years old, Max has benefitted from his diagnosis at just 13 months that provided access to early intervention for autism. Now, Max is:

  • Talking in full sentences, telling stories, and making jokes

  • Thriving in an integrated preschool with ABA support

  • Still working on adaptive skills like potty training, dressing, and transitions

“He’s made incredible language gains but still needs a lot of support for daily living skills. It’s progress, not perfection.”

Rachel N. Freedman on the Turn Autism Around Podcast

I earned my MS in Behavior Analysis and BCBA certification in 2011. I am also a Licensed Behavior Analyst and Special Education Administrator. I serve as the Home-Based Program Coordinator for a Special Education Collaborative, overseeing home-based ABA services for students from multiple public school districts. My son Max was diagnosed with ASD at 13 months and started ABA services at 14 months.
 

Resources

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Want to Learn how to Increase Talking & Decrease Tantrums in Children with Autism or Toddlers Showing Signs?

Want to start making a difference for your child or clients?

I’m Ready to Learn!

About the Author

Dr. Mary Barbera, RN, BCBA-D is a best-selling author, award-winning speaker, and Board Certified Behavior Analyst with a Ph.D. in leadership. As both an autism mom and professional, Mary brings over 25 years of experience helping thousands of parents and professionals around the world. She is the creator of the Turn Autism Around® approach and author of The Verbal Behavior Approach and Turn Autism Around: An Action Guide for Parents of Young Children with Early Signs of Autism. Through her books, online courses, and podcast, Mary empowers families to increase talking, reduce tantrums, and improve life skills in young children with autism or signs of autism.