Autism is one of the more prevalent disorders with which children are currently diagnosed. According to the statistics, 1 in 54 children born in the United States is now diagnosed with autism. Broadly speaking, the numbers have increased dramatically over the past few decades. Much of this increase has been attributable to an increase in autism test and screening. This, of course, leads to a very important question: How do doctors diagnose autism?
Autism Diagnosis
An autism diagnosis begins as part of a child’s regular well visits, which should be made in conjunction with your child’s pediatrician. As part of these visits, the doctor will likely ask you a series of questions, including:
- Does your child act in a way that is unusual for his or her age? Does your child seem less social or interact with other children and adults less?
- Does your child fail to make eye contact with you or others?
- Does your child exhibit any sensitivities to light, sound, or touch?
- Does your child fail to respond to efforts to capture his or her attention?
Furthermore, you and your pediatrician should be keeping an eye out for developmental milestones. These include:
- By six months, has your child smiled?
- By nine months, has your child begun to copy facial expressions that you make or mimic sounds?
- At a year old, has your child started to babble and coo?
This is a good general description of how an autism diagnosis begins to be made, but it is not all-encompassing. For example, the Centers for Disease Control has developed screening tools that can help parents, family members, and doctors determine if an autism diagnosis has been made. The CDC specifically recommends that children be checked for all developmental delays at nine, 18, and 30 months. The organization also recommends that specific autism spectrum disorder screenings take place at 18 and 24 months.
If there are concerns that a child has autism, they are then referred to a specialist. That specialist – or a team of specialists – will perform multiple tests and evaluations. The team may vary, but according to the National Institute of Mental Health, it will likely include the following:
- Developmental pediatrician
- A child psychologist or psychiatrist with experience in behavior and brain development
- A neuropsychologist
- A speech-language pathologist
Children suspected of having autism will be given a variety of tests. They will also be evaluated for their language abilities, cognitive development, and age-appropriate skills. Other tests, like hearing tests and blood work, may also be necessary. From there, a specialist will give a formal diagnosis and make treatment recommendations.
Why An Autism Diagnosis Is Important
A formal autism diagnosis is vitally important for your child and your family. There are two reasons. First, a diagnosis is required for the provision of medical and educational intervention services. For obvious reasons, children cannot receive treatment unless they have been formally diagnosed after having a test for autism.
Second, the importance of these early intervention services cannot be understated. Numerous studies have noted the importance of early intervention in improving a child’s cognitive skills, social interactions, and brain development. These services work, and early screening and diagnosis can help children get the help that they need and deserve.
Autism Test for Adults
While awareness about autism has dramatically increased in children, there are many adults who, for a number of reasons, may be on the autism spectrum but never have received an autism test or diagnosis. Obtaining an autism diagnosis as an adult is difficult, but not impossible.
While an autism test and diagnosis may not be quite as impactful for an adult as it is for a child, it is still vitally important that adults formally receive this diagnosis. There are treatment options available for adults. Keep in mind that no one is ever too old to be treated for autism. Even adults can find real benefits to being diagnosed with autism. For these reasons, if you are concerned that you may be autistic, you should consult with an appropriate medical professional.
The signs of autism in an adult are slightly different than those that you may see in a child, as developmental delays are no longer relevant for diagnosis purposes. Indeed, many of these symptoms are specifically related to social situations and emotional intelligence. These signs include:
- Problems with understanding, reading and reacting to social hints and cues
- Difficulty socializing
- Difficulty maintaining close, personal relationships
- Difficulty expressing emotion and a flat affect when it comes to interpersonal communication
- Repetitive behaviors
- Difficulty adapting to changes in routines
Of course, all of these behaviors are also common in a number of people who are not autistic. However, taken together, the above symptoms may point to autism.
Many adults who think they have autism but weren’t tested for the disorder often fall into one of two categories:
- They have mild symptoms and were thus never tested: Remember, autism is not just a “yes or no” disease. It is called autism spectrum disorder because people fall onto a spectrum of severity, and if you have a milder form, it is possible that it was missed when you were younger.
- Diagnostic tests and standards have changed: As a result, many people who would today be diagnosed with autism were previously diagnosed with another disorder, such as attention deficit disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Many websites have developed screening tools designed to assist you in determining whether or not you show symptoms of autism. It is important to recognize that these are not a formal diagnosis and should not be confused as such. However, they may help you focus your mind, better identify potential autism symptoms, and determine if you need to take further action.
To date, there is no autism spectrum test for adults. This can make obtaining a formal diagnosis more challenging, but not outright impossible. As such, you can and should visit a doctor or an autism specialist. That person will likely monitor your behavior and ask questions about your development and family history. However, it may be difficult to answer these questions, as you may not have all of the information you need in order to give as comprehensive an answer as you would like. This, in turn, may limit the ability of the specialist to give you a diagnosis.
If you believe that a child you love may be autistic and need autism services, make sure to call the Worldwide Pediatrics Group today. Our doctors have decades of experience with autism testing and screenings and will be able to assist you in getting a diagnosis, learning more about autism, and finding the services that you need so your child can lead a full and happy life. Reach out to us today, so we can schedule an appointment for you and your child.
