Accompanying Conditions Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Diagnosis

Autism Overview

Diagnosis

Screening
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Centers (worldwide)

Treatment and Education

Living with Autism

Products to Help

Screening

A diagnosis of Autism is based on observation of the individual's communication, behavior, and developmental levels by qualified professionals. Because many of the symptoms associated with autism are shared by other disorders, medical tests may however be used to rule out or identify other possible causes of the behaviors. Some individuals with autism appear to have mental retardation, a behavior disorder, hearing deficits, or odd behaviors. To confuse matters, these conditions can be comorbid with autism. It is important to differentiate autism from other conditions since an accurate diagnosis and early identification lay the groundwork for an appropriate and effective educational and treatment program. Limited observation in a single setting is not an adequate picture of an individual's total abilities and behaviors. Parental, caregiver and/or teacher input and developmental history are key components to an accurate diagnosis. Research indicates that early diagnosis is associated with better outcomes for individuals with autism. The earlier the child can begin benefiting from one of the many specialized intervention approaches (see treatment and education), the better.

Diagnosis

As part of a well-child visit, your child's doctor should ask specific questions about your baby's progress as part of a "developmental screening" . The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) lists five behaviors that may warrant further evaluation:

• Does not babble or coo by 12 months
• Does not gesture (point, wave, grasp) by 12 months
• Does not say single words by 16 months
• Does not say two-word phrases on his or her own by 24 months
• Has any loss of any language or social skill at any age.

A child displaying these behaviors may need further evaluations by a multidisciplinary team. This team may include a neurologist, psychologist, developmental pediatrician, speech/language therapist, learning consultant, or other professionals knowledgeable about autism.

While there is no one test that can detect autism, several screening tools are used as part of an autism assessment:

1. CARS rating system (Childhood Autism Rating Scale)
2. CHAT (Checklist for Autism in Toddlers)
3. The Social Communication Questionnaire

      4. The PDD Assessment Scale/ Screening Questionnaire

       5. ATEC (Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist)

Diagnostic Centers:

AutismSpeaks Services by State

North America | South America | Central America | Asia | Africa | Australia | Europe

North America

ALABAMA, US: Auburn Univeristy Autism Center Auburn, AL

CALIFORNIA, US : Koegel Autism Center Santa Barbara, CA

COLORADO, US: Neuro Developmental Center Denver, CO

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, US: Children's National Medical Center Washington, DC

FLORIDA, US: Miami Children's Hospital Dan Marino Center Miami, FL.

ILLINOIS, US: The University of Illinois Autism Clinic Chicago, IL

INDIANA, US: Riley Child Development Center Indianapolis, IN

MASSACHUSETTS, US LADDERS Needham, MA

MISSOURI, US : Judevine Center for Autism St. Louis, MO

NEW JERSEY, US: Diagnostic Centers NJ

NEW MEXICO, US: Center for Development and Disability Albuquerque, NM

NEW YORK, US: Seaver Center for Autism New York, NY

NORTH CAROLINA, US : TEACCH, Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication Handicapped Children is based at Univeristy of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

PENNSYLVANIA, US: Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Hershey, PA

TEXAS, US: Autism Treatment Centers   Dallas, San Antonio, TX

WISCONSIN, US: Wisconsin Early Autism Project Madison, WI

ONTARIO, CANADA: Ontario Adult Autism Research and Support Network (OAARSN)

Central America

PANAMA: Página informativa de Panamá sobre Autismo y otros Trastornos del Desarrollo

South America

Africa

SOUTH AFRICA :Autism Western Cape

Asia

WORLDWIDE LISTING OF AUTISM CENTERS

JORDAN: Jordan Specialized Center for Autism is Jordan's first independent specialist school to accommodate the latest teaching methods and therapeutic programs for children who exhibit learning difficulties associated with the autistic spectrum.

Europe

AUSTRIA: Österreichische Autistenhilfe