How is Autism Diagnosed?
| There are no
medical tests for diagnosing autism. An accurate diagnosis
must be based on observation
of the individual's communication, behavior, and developmental levels.
However, because many of the behaviors associated with autism are shared
by other disorders, various medical
tests may be ordered to rule out or identify other possible causes of
the symptoms being exhibited.
A brief observation in a single setting cannot present a true picture of an individual's abilities and behaviors. Parental (and other caregivers') input and developmental history are very important components of making an accurate diagnosis. At first glance, some persons with autism may appear to have mental retardation, a behavior disorder, problems with hearing, or even odd and eccentric behavior. To complicate matters further, these conditions can co-occur with autism. However, it is important to distinguish autism from other conditions, since an accurate diagnosis and early identification can provide the basis for building an appropriate and effective educational and treatment program. Early Diagnosis Research indicates that early diagnosis is associated with dramatically better outcomes for individuals with autism. The earlier a child is diagnosed, the earlier the child can begin benefiting from one of the many specialized intervention approaches (see "Treatments and Education"). Diagnostic Tools The characteristic behaviors of autism spectrum disorders may or may not be apparent in infancy (18 to 24 months), but usually become obvious during early childhood (24 months to 6 years). As part of a well-baby/well-child visit, your child's doctor should do a "developmental screening" asking specific questions about your baby's progress. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) lists these five behaviors that signal further evaluation is warranted:
Having any of these five "red flags" does not mean your child has autism, but because the characteristics of the disorder vary so much, a child should have further evaluations by a multidisciplinary team that may include a neurologist, psychologist, developmental pediatrician, speech/language therapist, learning consultant, or other professionals knowledgeable about autism. While there is no one behavioral or communications test that can detect autism, several screening instruments have been developed that are now used in diagnosing autism. CARS rating system (Childhood
Autism Rating Scale), developed by Eric
Schopler in the early 1970s, is based on observed behavior. Using
a 15-point scale, professionals evaluate a child's relationship to people,
body use, adaptation to change, listening response, and verbal communication.
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