Atkinson is an English-language surname. The name is derived from a patronymic form of the Middle English Atkin.
These are much more conservative than state laws, in general (for instance, everyone should be in a booster seat from about age 4 to at least age 8) but remain less conservative than some of the european standards (for instance, the European Child Safety Alliance recommends that children remain in rear-facing carseats until 3 years of age).
It is recommended that a child remain rear-facing until they reach 2 years of age or the upper height or weight limit of their current car seat. Therefore, since your child is over 2 years and has reached the height limit on his current car seat you can turn him forward facing.