ASD’s Families with Healthy and Flexible Lifes

What to do if you suspect your child has Autism?

More research is required to understand the course of development of children diagnosed with ASD. However, recent studies show that many children are healthy and do well in mid-childhood even after being diagnosed with ASD. Although not very common, some children can progress so much with an intervention that they shortly meet the criteria for a diagnosis of ASD.

How common is it?

About 1 in 54 children is diagnosed with ASD when they are eight years old, which is diagnosed about four times more in boys than in girls. Even so, the statistics of reported children that have ASD have increased since 1990; the increase could be due to many factors.

Many families are more informed about ASD

Pediatricians are “screening for ASD” more these days, as suggested by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Children identify themselves earlier, which is good.

There have been many changes since ASD was defined and diagnosed. For example, schools are more aware of the rising cognitive condition, and children receive more appropriate special education services.

What to do if autism is suspected?

When you suspect your kid has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), your child will need a full evaluation and should be referred for intervention services.

It is necessary to execute a complete evaluation examination for ASD before establishing a diagnosis.

Ideally, this assessment should be done by a team of professionals and involves:

• Asking parents and caregivers a series of questions.
• Observing the child.
• Performing a physical exam.
• Administering tests.

What to do if autism is suspected?

When you suspect your kid has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), your child will need a full evaluation and should be referred for intervention services. It is necessary to execute a complete evaluation examination for ASD before establishing a diagnosis.