![]() ![]() Most often, a child’s doctor is the first step. ![]() Parents know their children the best, so if there are any concerns at all, it’s critical to reach out to a professional who is competent in screening for ASD. Additionally, the sooner a child is diagnosed with ASD, the sooner they can access treatment services which are found to be an effective method of helping children improve their quality of life such as by teaching them important life skills, helping them navigate social experiences, helping them to learn ways to handle their own sensory needs, and so much more. First, the sooner parents find out that their child has autism, the sooner parents can better understand their child’s experience and they can then better help them by being mindful of their child’s ASD when intervening on things like problem behaviors or social problems, for example. The earlier a child with autism is recognized as having the disorder, the better. A screening tool can be used to discover when these toddlers might be functioning in a way that could be congruent with a diagnosis of ASD or when their behaviors don’t quite match up with what is typically expected for their age as compared to other young children who do not have a diagnosis. A child who is one to two years old can be evaluated and diagnosed with autism. The medical and scientific fields are improving in the ability to identify autism in children as young as 18 months old. If you are looking for autism evaluations and diagnostic support in Houston, San Antonio, Austin, or Denver area, contact us by submitting a short form to schedule an evaluation today. For example, if a child is having a difficult time getting along with peers at age three, this should be addressed with a doctor so parents can prevent or at least minimize further difficulties that might arise later in childhood. Whether the concern is about something a child doesn’t yet know how to do or if it’s about a problem behavior that’s not considered typical for the child’s age, it is important to talk to the doctor about it. It is helpful to keep an eye on a child’s developmental milestones and functioning so that parents and doctors can notice if something seems concerning and hence can be more intentional and more effective at intervening if something does come up that either think is concerning for the child. Autism is recommended to be screened for at around 18 months and 24 months of age. Although not all doctors will approach screening for developmental delays or other concerns in the same way, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all children receive screening for developmental delays at their well-child visits with their primary care provider, specifically at around 9 months of age, 18 months of age, and 30 months of age. When a child visits with their primary care provider, they are likely to be given a screening for a developmental delay as well as for autism spectrum disorder at certain times, especially in early childhood. This is helpful because the doctor can keep an eye on any potential indicators that a child may need further evaluation for autism spectrum disorder or any other concern. Parents can also bring up any concerns they might have at wellness check-up just to make sure the doctor stays informed on how the child is functioning over time. Primary care providers not only monitor your child’s development over time (from birth through adulthood), they can also talk to you about how your child behaves in everyday life. This could be a pediatrician or a family doctor or whoever your child sees regularly for their general healthcare needs. ![]() One of the most common professionals who provides screening for autism is a primary healthcare provider – or, in other words, a child’s doctor. Screening for Autism with a Child’s Doctor These professionals can screen very young children through older adolescents. ![]() There are even some professionals who work in schools or in early childhood programs that can screen children for autism. Developmental screening for autism can be completed by a variety of healthcare professionals. Autism Testing or Screening Optionsįirst, let’s talk about developmental screening, particularly as it relates to autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Fortunately, the process of learning more about a child and finding out whether he or she qualifies for a diagnosis of autism can be easier if parents understand the available assessments for autism. Wondering whether a child has autism might bring up a wave of different thoughts and emotions for parents. ![]()
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