4/19/2024 0 Comments Autism spectrum disorder testing![]() If you believe your child has autism, choose a professional with experience. Interviews with parents, teachers, caregivers, or other adultsīut not just anyone can make a diagnosis.For example, qualified experts can make a diagnosis based on: Instead, doctors and psychologists diagnose ASD by analyzing the patient’s history and monitoring their behavior. However, unlike other genetic conditions, there is no blood analysis, brain scan, or other test that can diagnose autism. (For the full diagnostic criteria, please refer to the CDC website.) Have more questions? Contact us.Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that scientists believe has a strong genetic component. When an ASD diagnosis is assigned, the clinician will provide “severity” levels for each of these domains, which signifies how much support the person may need to manage interfering symptoms in those areas. To meet criteria, a person must have symptoms in each area that interfere with their daily living. ► The Restricted Interests/Repetitive Behaviors domain includes repetitive movements and speech, inflexibility, fixated or intense interests, and sensory issues. ► The Social Communication domain includes challenges in interacting with others in a back-and-forth way, differences in using and understanding nonverbal behavior like eye contact or gestures, and trouble making and maintaining relationships. Current diagnostic criteria separates symptoms of ASD into two major domains: Social Communication and Restricted Interests/Repetitive Behaviors. Autism or ASD is a social communication disorder at its core but affects other areas of functioning as well. Some individuals who meet the criteria for ASD continue to self-identify as having asperger’s syndrome, as they feel the previous criteria is more representative of their characteristics. This term is shortened to ASD and/or Autism (capitalized or lowercase “a”), and people diagnosed with ASD may be referred to as being “on the spectrum.” People with the previous diagnoses listed above generally fit the criteria for the newer diagnosis of ASD. As a result, these diagnoses were all combined into Autism Spectrum Disorder. Research suggested that these labels reflected a common set of symptoms of varying quality or severity rather than distinct conditions. Before 2013, there were several different disorders under the same diagnostic “umbrella” – Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome/Asperger’s, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). In 2013, the criteria used to diagnose autism changed. Technically in today’s clinical practice, there is not much of a difference between these terms. Less targeted assessment may not provide detailed investigation necessary to identify subtler, but still interfering and distressing, symptoms of autism. ![]() Professionals without training and experience working with neurodiverse populations may miss mild, subtle, or atypical symptoms. For some children and teens, weaknesses in communication and social skills may only become noticeable as social demands increase, starting in middle school and beyond. Additionally, our psychologists are skilled in identifying children and teens with mild symptoms of ASD, whose deficits may be missed due to compensatory behaviors (i.e., “masking”). Research supports reliable diagnosis as early as 18 months of age we have expertise in identifying very early signs of ASD, leading to earlier treatment and better social-communication outcomes. There is no lab test or medical diagnostic that can identify ASD. ![]() We feel confident in our ability to identify ASD symptoms in these populations, enabling proper diagnosis and appropriate subsequent intervention. ![]() Additionally, neurodiversity among girls, women, and people of color has frequently been overlooked or misdiagnosed. Because there is significant symptom overlap in ASD and other disorders, this expertise is critical for accurate diagnosis and subsequent treatment recommendations. We have expertise in identifying ASD and co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and ADHD. There are a number of benefits of choosing ASD-specific evaluation over other types of testing: ► More cost-effective ► Fewer appointments or hours of testing ► Greater focus on autism-specific symptoms ► Resources and recommendations specific to ASD Our evaluators have extensive experience working with people on the spectrum of all ages and presentations. ![]()
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