Diagnosing New Cases of Autism

Medical tools required to diagnose autismAt this time, there is no medical test that is capable of diagnosing autism on its own. New cases are diagnosed by physicians and psychologists who have been specially trained to perform behavioral evaluations designed to reveal autistic tendencies.

(If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with autism, then you may qualify for enrollment in an autism clinical trial– find out more here.)

Parents are usually the first to notice that their children have been exhibiting abnormal behaviors, including:

  • Not responding when called by their name
  • Not willing or able to make eye contact
  • Playing with their toys in strange or very repetitive ways

Early Autism Diagnosis Critical for Toddlers

Specialists have developed the Modified Checklist of Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) which is a group of informative questions designed to help identify early signs of ASD. The answers will help parents decide if they should pursue further evaluation via specialists such as a neurologist, developmental pediatrician or psychiatrist.

Parents are strongly encouraged to seek out doctors who will truly take their concerns seriously. As unlikely as it sounds, certain medical professionals are more apt to dismiss a parent’s concerns if they are unfamiliar with medical conditions like autism. This will only further delay the proper diagnosis and prevent a child from getting critical early interventional therapy.

(Organizations like Autism are helping to raise further awareness of these medical conditions through events like National Autism Awareness Month.)

Routine Developmental Screenings for First 3 Years

During the first 3 years of their life, parents should consider having their children screened for developmental milestones while at the doctor’s office. If one of these routine screenings raises any red flags, the doctor can immediately refer the child to a developmental specialist for further evaluation and intervention if necessary.

Routine evaluation tests for autism will include:

  • Autism-specific screening tools like the M-CHAT
  • Hearing exposure tests
  • Lead exposure tests

(These screening tests can also be calibrated for older children or towards specific autism spectrum disorders.)

The average diagnostic team is composed of specialists spanning a range of disciplines, including:

  • Psychologist
  • Developmental pediatrician
  • Language pathologist
  • Occupational therapist

An examination of the patients family medical history may also be useful during these autistic evaluations. This is often combined with a comprehensive screening to flesh out any other related medical conditions (such as issues sleeping). At the very least, parents should leave with a more complete understanding of what their child may need in order to continue their development.

Diagnosing Autism in Older Patients

There are more rare instances where someone with autism isn’t actually diagnosed until they are much older. Eventually, complicated issues in regards to social and emotional comprehension as well as learning will arise. The diagnostic process for autism in adolescents and adults follows a similar path as in young children. A patient will undergo evaluation with a trained specialist and further observation.

This diagnosis is often a source of relief for older patients, because it helps them finally understand why they have always struggled with social interactions and other societal norms. Once they have been diagnosed with autism, they can also pursue interventional therapies and make use of new technologies specifically designed to improve their quality of life.

If you believe that your child or loved is showing signs of autism, please do not hesitate to share your concerns with a specialist. Hiding from this issue will only make things worse, and there are new therapies which can really help people effectively manage their condition and live a fuller life.