Screening for autism involves a series of tests and analyses performed by your children’s health care provider. From the M-CHAT test to autism behavioral analysis, find out below how pediatricians determine if your child has autism, and find the right autism spectrum disorder treatment today.
Screening for Autism
Your pediatrician starts screening for autism the moment they see any signs of communication or developmental challenges. The methods they use include tools like M-CHAT R/F, developmental screening, and comprehensive diagnostic evaluation.
M-CHAT R/F
The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised with Follow -Up (M-CHAT R/F) is a screening tool for assessing a child’s risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It’s a two-stage tool meant for children aged 16 to 30 months.
M-CHAT R/F determines if a child needs a more thorough assessment of signs of ASD. One of the recommended tools by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), pediatricians can administer this test during a well-child visit. If additional screening is necessary, the next step is a developmental assessment.
Developmental Assessment
Early detection and diagnosis of autism are essential for your child to receive early treatment and support. This fact is why the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises the formalized ASD screening of all children during 18- and 24-month child visits.
Pediatricians should especially monitor children with high risk due to low birth weight, preterm birth, or having a sibling with ASD. If the child’s doctor does not perform routine developmental screening, you should ask that it be done.
Comprehensive Evaluation
If the doctor sees signs of problems after the development assessment, the next step in screening for autism is a thorough evaluation. This step is the diagnosis part in which a doctor thoroughly reviews the child’s behavior and development.
The specialists who will conduct the comprehensive evaluation may include developmental pediatricians, child neurologists, and child psychiatrists. The assessment and diagnosis performed may include:
- Genetic testing – It involves testing for biomarkers that may indicate the presence of ASD
- Hearing and vision screening – It identifies symptoms related to ASD such as hypersensitivity to sound and sensorial loss
- Neurological testing – EEG brain wave testing, polysomnography, and other tests identify signs that may be associated with ASD
- Screening tools – Questionnaires to learn the social and communication skills of children suspected with having ASD
If you or your child’s doctor suspect that there might be something wrong, seek early intervention right away. The sooner you know that your child has ASD, the sooner you can get proper treatment, such as behavioral analysis and telehealth ASD treatment programs.
What Is a Targeted Intervention Program for Autism?
Autism is not a single condition, but a group of developmental disabilities. Besides autism spectrum disorder, Asperger’s syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder also fall under the autism spectrum disorder.
Because there is a range of characteristics a person with ASD exhibits, diagnosis and treatment can be difficult. Fortunately, targeted intervention for autism treatment can help in dealing with the challenges of ASD.
Since every person with autism spectrum disorder shows varying characteristics, targeted intervention helps address their specific needs. With a focus on functional activities, this program improves the child’s social, cognitive, and language skills.
The focus of targeted intervention for autism includes:
- Joint attention – Directing the child’s attention to an item of interest
- Affect sharing – Sharing of emotions using facial expression while keeping eye contact
- Social imitation – Repeating an action performed by another while showing social connectedness
- Symbolic and functional play – A way to teach practical skills such as language and communication through play
Seek Intervention Right Away
Screening for autism is only the beginning. By getting an early diagnosis, your child can receive early intervention and customized treatment. Ask your pediatrician for a screening today to ensure the better long-term outlook of your child’s growth and development.