Early initiation of evidence-based autism-specific interventions increases the potential for improved lifelong outcomes.⁴² When introduced during a key window of neurodevelopment, these early interventions can lead to significant improvements in behavioral, social, emotional, and cognitive functioning.⁴³ Receiving a timely ASD diagnosis is essential to gaining access to appropriate ASD-specific interventions.⁴⁴ And this is a benefit that lasts for years. While the specific cut off for the neurodevelopment window is unknown, one study showed that when children receive an ASD diagnosis before age 4, they are more likely than children who receive later diagnosis to participate in ASD-specific behavioral interventions and school-based therapy.⁴⁵