![]() ![]() Diagnosis in Older Children and Adolescents ![]() ![]() The outcome of the evaluation will result in recommendations to help plan for treatment. Because ASD is a complex disorder that sometimes occurs along with other illnesses or learning disorders, the comprehensive evaluation may include:.Age-appropriate skills needed to complete daily activities independently, such as eating, dressing, and toileting.A speech-language pathologist-a health professional who has special training in communication difficulties.A child psychologist and/or child psychiatrist-a doctor who knows about brain development and behavior.A developmental pediatrician-a doctor who has special training in child development.This evaluation is with a team of doctors and other health professionals with a wide range of specialties who are experienced in diagnosing ASD. Read more about screening instruments on the CDC website.Ĭhildren who show some developmental problems during this screening process will be referred for another stage of evaluation. Sometimes the doctor will ask parents questions about the child’s behaviors and combine this information with his or her observations of the child. Parents’ experiences and concerns are very important in the screening process for young children. Were born premature, or early, and at a low birth weight.Have a sister, brother, or other family member with ASD.Earlier screening might be needed if a child is at high risk for ASD or developmental problems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends specific ASD screening be done at the 18- and 24-month visits. Diagnosis in Young Childrenĭiagnosis in young children is often a two-stage process: Stage 1: General Developmental Screening During Well-Child CheckupsĮvery child should receive well-child check-ups with a pediatrician or an early childhood health care provider. However, getting a correct diagnosis of ASD as an adult can help a person understand past difficulties, identify his or her strengths, and obtain the right kind of help. In adults, some ASD symptoms can overlap with symptoms of other mental health disorders, such as schizophrenia or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Older children and adolescents should be evaluated for ASD when a parent or teacher raises concerns based on watching the child socialize, communicate, and play. Young children with ASD can usually be reliably diagnosed by age two. (from the National Institute for Mental Health)ĭoctors diagnose ASD by looking at a child’s behavior and development. 8 This includes more than 3.5 million Americans 9. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 1 in 68 children (1 in 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls) have autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Excessive preoccupation with certain topics or activities. ![]()
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