Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment
Many parents are very concerned when they hear their child may be on the autism spectrum, but with appropriate diagnosis and early intervention, children on the autism spectrum may be able to make dramatic improvements in their quality of life. On this page, you can learn more about autism spectrum disorder and diagnosis of this condition. To learn more, please don’t hesitate to contact me at the Learning Curve Assessment Center.
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition that impacts the way the brain develops. The differences in development can influence the ways an individual view and socialize with others, interact with people socially, and communicate clearly. As the word “spectrum” in the name implies, ASD affects people in a variety of ways with unique symptoms at a range of severity levels.
What Characteristics or Behaviors Associated with ASD Could I Notice in My Child?
It’s important to remember that trained pediatricians should perform screenings for ASD at your child’s regular wellness examinations throughout their development, so if you are concerned about things you’ve noticed, the first step should always be to discuss this with your child’s pediatrician. Each person will have a unique experience with ASD, but symptoms typically fall into two categories: social-communication and restricted and repetitive behavior patterns. Some of the symptoms of ASD include:
Difficulty responding to name when called
Seems to not hear or does not respond when spoken to
Difficulty with eye contact
Narrow range of facial expressions
Delay in speech development or loses words or regresses after speech development
Difficulty starting and/or maintaining conversations with others
Abnormal speech tones, patterns, or rhythms
Echolalic language beyond what is developmentally typical
Difficulty recognizing non-verbal cues (facial expressions, body language, etc.)
Engages in repetitive movements (swaying, rocking, spinning, etc.)
Becomes highly agitated by changes in routine
Makes unusual or peculiar motor movements.
Sensitivity to various stimuli (light, sound, touch, etc.)
Unable or unwilling to engage in creative or make-believe play
Abnormal level of fixation on one or more objects or activities
At What Age Should My Child Undergo Assessment for ASD?
Most parents and children who are referred to me for ASD diagnosis are sent to my office by their child’s pediatrician. These doctors are trained to check for specific developmental delays that can be precursors to autism spectrum disorder during your child’s regular checkup visits. If they notice signs of these development differences in your child, the pediatrician will recommend you schedule an assessment. Developmental variations are not uncommon in the early years of life; thus in most cases, pediatricians will likely not recommend an ASD assessment until after the child’s 18 or 24 month well-visit checkup. At this stage of development, pediatricians will likely notice significant signs that necessitate further testing rather than differences in development that are unlikely to be related to a need for assessment. Research indicates that early diagnosis and intervention are key in early access to treatment, ultimately paving the way for a better prognostic outcome.
What Type of Assessment is Used to Diagnose ASD?
ASD diagnosis requires observation and comprehensive testing of various developmental domains such as social-communication, language, cognition, behavior, and adaptive skills. Depending on your child’s age, I may want to observe them at school or in play scenarios, request information from you, their teachers, and other caregivers, and work with specialists, such as speech pathologists, to answer specific diagnostic questions.