Autism - Diagnosis
In this section
It may be hard to work out the diagnosis of autism. Your doctor will look closely at how your child behaves and how he or she has developed for signs of autism.
You may think that the name for your child's problems doesn't really matter. This may be especially so if your child gets upset by seeing doctors or being examined.
But if is autism, your child needs the care and treatment that suits them. And the sooner, the better. So it's important to get autism diagnosed properly and early on.
This is done by a health professional who specialises in autism, usually a doctor.[1] But your child may have to see other professionals too before your doctor can make the diagnosis.
Signs of autism
Here are the three main signs of autism that doctors look for in your child:[2] [3]
- Having problems with speaking, as well as seeming to not understand what others are saying
- Having problems getting on with people socially (for example, not looking people in the eye, not using facial expressions or body language, and not having many interests in common with other children)
- Having problems with behaviour (for example, having only a few activities or interests, constantly doing actions over and over, and maybe needing to have a strict routine all the time).
These problems usually start before the age of 3 years. So doctors can typically diagnose autism between the ages of 2 and 3 years.[4] But they can look for signs earlier, especially if you notice something wrong, or if you have another child who has autism.
Tests
Some reliable tests can help your doctor and other professionals tell if your child has autism.
- Your doctor will ask you, as the main carer, about your child. These questions focus on how your child behaves and has developed from birth. Your doctor takes notes on a special form.
- Your doctor may spend time with your child, watching how they play and communicate, and checking how well they do certain things.[5] This should be done in a situation your child knows, for example, at school or playing a game he or she likes. Your doctor may also test how your child does in a new situation, such as meeting new people or visiting a new place.
Your doctor may also do tests for the medical conditions that are linked to autism in a few children.[1] [6] For more, see Medical causes of autism.
National Autism Plan
In the UK, experts have drawn up the National Autism Plan for children with this condition.[7] It helps health professionals:
- Recognise autism
- Examine your child
- Meet with you regularly to talk about your child
- Work out a plan for caring for your child
- Work with other professionals
- Make sure that preschool children can get the care they need (15 hours a week is recommended).
You can read more about this plan on the National Autistic Society website (http://www.nas.org.uk).
Your child's health care team
If your child has autism, a lot of different professionals will be involved in caring for and treating him or her. They work together as a team. Each one helps in a certain way.
For example, teachers or psychologists may give your child tests to help work out the best programme for them. And special therapists may help your child with speaking.
For more, see Autism professionals.
References
- Howlin P. Autism and intellectual disability: diagnostic and treatment issues. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. 2000; 93: 351-355.
- World Health Organization. The ICD-10 classification of mental and behavioural disorders: diagnostic criteria for research. 1993. Available at http://www.who.int/classifications/icd/en (accessed on 9 June 2005).
- American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. 4th ed. Washington, APA. 1994.
- Baird G, Cass H, Slonims V. Diagnosis of autism. BMJ. 2003; 327: 488-493.
- Lord C, Risi S, Lambrecht L, et al. The autism diagnostic observation schedule-generic: a standard measure of social and communication deficits associated with the spectrum of autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 2000; 30: 205-223.
- Lamb JA, Parr JR, Bailey AJ, et al. Autism: in search of susceptibility genes. Neuromolecular Medicine. 2002; 2: 11-28.
- National Autistic Society. The National Autism Plan for Children. Available at http://www.nas.org.uk (accessed on 15 December 2005).
Glossary
- psychologist
- A psychologist is trained to study the human mind and human behaviour. A clinical psychologist provides mental health care in hospitals, clinics, schools or private settings.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited ("BMJ Group") 2007. All rights reserved
This information does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned you might have a medical problem please ask your Boots pharmacy team in your local Boots store, or see your doctor.
