1. Screen Your Child Early
Children with autism have special developmental needs, and the earlier these are addressed, the better the long-term prognosis for the child. Many people with autism grow up to lead relatively normal, self-sufficient lives if swift and aggressive management of the condition is combined with early diagnosis. Usually, the first signs of autism manifest when a child is about 18-months old. However, a diagnosis often isn't possible until the child reaches 2 or 3 years of age, when language acquisition deficiencies are more readily observed and tested. Experts emphasize the importance of having a child diagnosed before his third birthday.
2. Have Your Child Observed Over Time
If autism is suspected, an autism specialist or pediatrician will have to observe the child's developmental abnormalities over time to confirm the presence of the condition. Physicians have developed a series of tests that can be used to assist in making autism diagnoses. These tests are designed to challenge potentially autistic children in three key developmental categories. Results are then compared against children of the same age who have no developmental difficulties and against the child's previous test results.
3. Test the Three Major Developmental Categories for Signs of Autism
Autism is a blanket term for a range of developmental disorders, all of which can be diagnosed by identifying deficiencies in three areas: socialization, language acquisition and behavior. Testing these areas can take as little as 5 minutes. Autistic children tend to favor solitude and may not respond to commands. They also tend to acquire new skills at a lower rate than other children and have a hard time integrating new speech concepts. Developmental specialists can identify patterns of behavior that signal autism, and parents are urged to have any child that shows developmental delays screened early.
