Purpose <p>Several studies have found correlations between ASD and maternal stress, either during pregnancy or at delivery. This study examined whether a particular stressor, maternal history of abuse, predicted either suspected or diagnosed ASD by age three.</p> Methods <p>Medical records were reviewed from two pediatric practices in the Midwestern United States. “Maternal abuse history” was determined by whether the mother reported that she experienced abuse in her patient history form. Abuse was examined overall and separately by timing of the experience of abuse (abuse as a child or adult). ASD suspicions or diagnoses were considered positive based on both ICD codes and physician notes at all child well visits up to three years of age.</p> Results <p>Women who have reported history of any type of abuse prior to gestation were more than three times as likely to have a child suspected of having ASD by age three and were almost two and a half times more likely to have a child formally diagnosed with autism than those who do not report abuse history. Those who reported experiencing child abuse specifically were more than twice as likely to have a child suspected of ASD by age three.</p> Conclusions <p>By identifying maternal abuse as potential ASD risk factor, medical professionals can be more attuned to potential ASD symptoms in their young patients at an earlier age, allowing for earlier intervention.</p>