How autism is diagnosed

Evaluation and diagnosis are important steps toward supporting people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). If you suspect your child may have autism or any other condition that impacts the way they experience the world and the types of support they need, now is the best time to take action.

Ask for help

“The most important thing is to not wait if you have a concern,” said Theresa Regan, PhD, a neuropsychologist at OSF HealthCare. “Reach out to your child’s pediatrician or school and ask them how to get an autism diagnosis.”

They will likely be knowledgeable about specialized clinics in your area with experts in child development and diagnosis. Sometimes, these diagnostic and intervention clinics are found within university programs or organizations like Easterseals.

Depending on the services available in your area, it may take time to get an appointment for a diagnosis. So, until then, there are other ways to begin getting answers and help for your child. Starting with their pediatrician or primary care provider is a good first step. They can help identify other possible causes for a developmental delay, such as impaired hearing.

Autism spectrum disorder test

When your child is evaluated for autism, they will interact with a variety of specialists, including developmental therapists (an occupational therapist, physical therapist or speech therapist), medical specialists (a physician or nurse practitioner) and psychologist. Since the autism spectrum is so broad, these medical professionals use a variety of assessments to understand how your child interacts with others and their environment. These autism tests may include:

• Medical evaluation: The first step may include looking at your child’s medical and family history to check for language delays, behavioral issues and other problems. The provider will also conduct a physical exam to look for any medical conditions that might give clues about how the body and brain have been developing.
• Consideration of previous therapy or education: The provider may ask about previous therapy or education your child has received to address their symptoms. Even if these past actions haven’t been successful, they can give the provider clues about what’s causing your child’s challenges.
• Social observation: How your child interacts with others can reveal signs of autism. That’s why a provider may engage younger kids in play to see how they respond. For older children, a provider will watch their social interactions and ask about their relationships with others. The provider may also observe repetitive movements like rocking or hand flapping.
• ADOS test: If a provider suspects autism, they may perform an Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). This test can take about an hour and helps providers diagnose autism by assessing a person’s communication skills, social interactions, play skills, and restricted and repetitive behaviors. Each session is determined by the age and communication level of the individual.

Getting treatment

Your child may begin treatment (interventional therapy) before or after they’re diagnosed with autism.

“The goal of intervention is to improve a child’s level of function,” Dr. Regan said. “Different therapies are directed at specific skills. For example, if a child struggles with language, we’re going to work on their speech. If they have trouble processing sensory information, which is data collected by the senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell, we’re going to address that.”

Autism looks different for every individual, and the support that a person with autism needs can change over time. A provider can help monitor your child’s progress and make adjustments along the way.

“We’re looking at how much assistance a child needs to complete their daily activities. They may have the same type of therapy as another child, but their sessions are going to look different to fit their specific needs,” Dr. Regan said.