Free infographics — use them, print them, embed them

Last updated August 2026 · Sources named on this page and checked against the original publications · How this site works

Three graphics covering the things families most need to see at a glance. They are free to use for any non-commercial educational purpose: pediatric practices, early intervention programs, childcare and schools, parent groups, and journalists. No permission needed, no sign-up, no email address.

The only condition: keep the graphic unaltered and credit earlysignsautism.com with a link. The copy-paste embed code under each graphic does that automatically. If you need a version in another format, size, or language for a specific setting, get in touch via the about page.

1. Early signs of autism, age by age

The full 6-to-24-month picture on one sheet, including the regression warning. Best for: waiting-room posters, well-child visit handouts, parent group materials, childcare staff training.

Timeline of early autism signs: at 6 months few warm expressions and limited eye contact; at 9 months no back-and-forth sharing and no response to name; at 12 months no babbling and no gestures; at 16 to 18 months no single words and no pretend play; at 24 months no two-word phrases and little interest in other children. Any loss of skills at any age warrants prompt evaluation.

Embed code

<a href="https://earlysignsautism.com/signs-by-age">
  <img src="https://earlysignsautism.com/img/early-signs-timeline.svg"
       alt="Early signs of autism, age by age" width="100%" />
</a>
<p>Source: <a href="https://earlysignsautism.com/">Early Signs Autism</a></p>

Or download the file directly: early-signs-timeline.svg (scalable — prints cleanly at any size).

2. The identification gap

Autism can be reliably diagnosed at 2, but the median age of first diagnosis is around 4 — and children whose signs are subtler are found latest of all. Best for: articles, presentations, advocacy, anything making the case for earlier screening.

Chart showing reliable autism diagnosis is possible at 24 months while the median age of earliest known diagnosis is about 49 months, a gap of roughly two years. Children with co-occurring intellectual disability are diagnosed at a median of 43 months, those without at 53 months.

Embed code

<a href="https://earlysignsautism.com/statistics">
  <img src="https://earlysignsautism.com/img/identification-gap.svg"
       alt="The autism identification gap" width="100%" />
</a>
<p>Source: <a href="https://earlysignsautism.com/statistics">Early Signs Autism</a>,
based on CDC ADDM Network surveillance data</p>

Underlying figures, with full citations: autism statistics. Direct file: identification-gap.svg.

3. The screening and evaluation pathway

Surveillance, screening, evaluation, support — and the shortcut most families are never told about: early intervention needs no diagnosis. Best for: explaining the process to families, staff onboarding, referral packets.

Diagram of the autism pathway: ongoing surveillance at every well-child visit, then screening at 9, 18 and 30 months plus autism-specific screening at 18 and 24 months, then a specialist diagnostic evaluation, leading to support. A separate dashed path shows that early intervention in the U.S. is free for children under 3 and parents can self-refer without a diagnosis.

Embed code

<a href="https://earlysignsautism.com/screening">
  <img src="https://earlysignsautism.com/img/screening-pathway.svg"
       alt="The autism screening and evaluation pathway" width="100%" />
</a>
<p>Source: <a href="https://earlysignsautism.com/">Early Signs Autism</a></p>

Direct file: screening-pathway.svg.

4. Which screening tool covers which age

Twelve instruments plotted against a birth-to-six-years axis, colour-coded by what kind of screen they are, with the AAP screening window marked. Best for: pediatric practices, early-intervention teams, training material, and any article that lists autism screeners without saying who they are for.

Chart plotting twelve autism and developmental screening instruments against a birth-to-six-years age axis, colour-coded into general developmental screens, autism-specific questionnaires, and professional-administered second-stage screens, with a shaded band marking the 18-to-24-month window in which the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends screening every child.

Embed code

<a href="https://earlysignsautism.com/tests/">
  <img src="https://earlysignsautism.com/img/screening-tools-by-age.svg"
       alt="Which autism screening tool covers which age" width="100%" />
</a>
<p>Source: <a href="https://earlysignsautism.com/tests/">Early Signs Autism</a></p>

Direct file: screening-tools-by-age.svg.

Notes for anyone republishing these

They are SVG files, which means they scale to any size without blurring — a poster and a phone screen use the same file.
Every figure is sourced. Prevalence and diagnosis-age numbers come from CDC ADDM Network surveillance; the milestone content follows CDC and AAP guidance. Full citations live on the statistics page.
Please don't crop off the disclaimer. These are educational graphics, not diagnostic tools, and the line at the bottom is what keeps that honest.
Found an error? Tell me and I'll fix it and say so — see the corrections policy.

Medical disclaimer: These graphics summarize general educational information. They cannot diagnose autism. If you have concerns about a child's development, talk to a pediatrician or qualified developmental specialist.