Establishing Autism Diagnosis in Young Children

From EmaxHealth:

Parents and close family members tend to be the first people to notice behavioral differences and developmental delays in children. However, teachers, babysitters, doctors and others can also notice the symptoms that indicate autism and suggest testing. The first step is to pay attention to the behavior and development of the child, so this information can be shared with a professional. Parents are hesitant to consider that their child may have autism, yet it is important not to wait too long for testing because delays in diagnosis should be avoided. If the child is diagnosed at an early age, many symptoms could be mitigated with behavioral therapies.

There are several tests available to help diagnose autism. The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers Revised (M-CHAT-R), Screening Tool for Autism in Toddlers & Young Children (STAT) and the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) are several examples of the tools available to professionals. According to clinical psychologist Dr. Tali Shenfield, testing for autism can reveal other psychological conditions, so parents should not hesitate to do the evaluations.

Researchers have not reached the point that allows a doctor to use a blood test or another type of physical examination to detect autism in a young child. This is why it is important to take advantage of the existing psychological tests and find a qualified professional to conduct the assessment. The tests are not invasive and do not require a great amount of time to be spent in a medical office. They generally consist of multiple questions that are used by a psychologist, psychiatrist or other qualified medical professional to evaluate the likelihood of an autism disorder in the child. (Read more.)