Diagnosing Autism
Introduction
In order to determine whether your child has autism, doctors and therapists look carefully at three criteria of a child. These three criteria are based on how a child socializes, communicates, and behaves. Diagnosis is based on the patterns of behavior that is exhibited by the child. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all children receive autism screening at 18 and 24 months of age, and the M-CHAT-R (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised) is one of the AAP’s recommended tools. A pediatric neurologist, child psychiatrist, child psychologist or developmental pediatrician may also diagnose a child using the criteria outlined in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition (DSM-IV-TSM) or the mental disorders section of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems Tenth Edition (ICD-10). It is important to include family input, as well as other disciplines such as speech pathologists, audiologists, physical and occupational therapists and educators, when attempting to diagnose a child for autism.
Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised (M-CHAT-R)
AutismSpeaks.org provides a parent with the opportunity to complete the M-CHAT-R 20 question screening tool. The link to this is http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/diagnosis/screen-your-child. After completing the 20 questions, you are provided with a Risk Score. If the Risk Score is high, they recommend that you bring your child to a health care provider and early intervention provider for a full assessment. There is a disclaimer that the M-CHAT-R is a screening tool, and that since no screening tool is perfect, research recommends the original 20 questions include a Followed-Up Interview. This can be found at http://www.mchatscreen.com/Official_M-CHAT_Website_files/M-CHAT_FollowUp.pdf. Click on the sites and take a moment to observe the types of questions that are being asked to the parent.
Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition (DSM-IV-TSM)
Please watch the following video that demonstrates the criteria that the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual Fourth Edition bases their Autism diagnosis on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbXjW-cX9kQ
International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems Tenth Edition (ICD-10)
Please click on the link below to read about the criteria that needs to be met for the ICD-10 in order to diagnose a child for autism
http://iancommunity.org/cs/autism/icd10_criteria_for_autism
Conclusion
Here is another video that discusses early detection of autism in a child. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89KnHRLz7EQ
Answer the following question:
- What are the three areas that specialists focus on in order to determine whether a child has autism or does not, regardless of which test is used?
- When should a child be screened for Autism?
There is no cure for a child that gets diagnosed as autistic but there is treatments and therapies that can may help minimize symptoms. The next unit will cover some of these treatments and therapies.
Unit 4: What are the possible treatments and therapies used for someone with Autism?
Links
Return to: ETAP 623 Fall 2014 taught by Byrne Systematic Design of Instruction
Autism Spectrum Disorder Mini Course
Unit 1: What are the different diagnoses under Autism Spectrum Disorder?
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Unit 5: What strategies can be used for someone with Autism inside and outside of the classroom?