However, it might take a little more time to make a definite diagnosis.
In many autistic children, the condition might go undetected until they are teenagers oradults.
Anautistic childmight havedifficulty maintaining eye contactwith people.
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Theircommunications skillsmight also be behind that of children the same age.
They might throw a tantrum or become completely unresponsive to any form of communication.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has a program called Learn the signs, act early.
This program helps to provide a guide for families to recognize early signs of developmental concerns like ASD.
TheDSM-5is the standard guide healthcare professionals use to diagnose behavioral and mental conditions.
It also provides criteria for ASD.
Further evaluation will include speaking to a doctor specializing in child development or achild psychologistwho specializes in brain development.
Medical experts can use the DISCO to diagnose ASD in both children and adults.
Tests like screening with the DSM-5 typically need a developmental history before a diagnosis can be made.
However, the DISCO should be used alongside standardized assessments as with that in the DSM-5.
The ADOS can be used to diagnose the condition in both children and adults.
Its also a great tool for people at any stage of ASD.
People with severe ASD who might not communicate verbally at all will benefit from the ADOS assessment systems.
Diagnosing Autism
Certain other conditions that used to be diagnosed separately are now classified under ASD.
Conditions likeAspergers syndromeand pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) are now considered ASD.
Theyll also be asked about how their child plays and interacts with other people.
An ASD diagnosis helps the families of autistic people understand their needs and how best they can support them.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Screening and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
