Early Autism Diagnosis: Importance and Guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics

2024-02-29 11:37:00
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that all children be screened at 9, 18, and 30 months

(HealthDay News) – According to Autism Speaks, an autism awareness organization, one in 36 U.S. children has autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Early diagnosis is crucial to help treat the condition, but how is a diagnosis made?

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has an updated review of what a diagnosis of autism in children entails. “Diagnosing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be difficult because there is no medical test, such as a blood test, to diagnose the disorder,” the agency said. “Doctors look at the child’s developmental history and behavior to make a diagnosis.”

According to the CDC, the timing of a child’s diagnosis varies. Sometimes an ASD can be detected as early as 18 months, or even earlier, but only at the age of 2 can a diagnosis by a trained professional be considered reliable.

Unfortunately, in many cases, an autism diagnosis may not come until later in childhood. Some people do not know they have ASD until they are diagnosed in adulthood.

Ideally, a reliable diagnosis should be made in childhood, when therapies are most effective, the CDC said.

Development monitoring

The timing of an ASD diagnosis can vary. Sometimes it can be detected at 18 months of age, or even earlier, but a diagnosis made by a trained professional is considered reliable after 2 years of age (Europa Press)

As children grow, conversations between parents and health care workers that focus on children’s abilities and skills should be encouraged, the CDC said.

Tracking your child’s development, such as how soon he or she reaches typical developmental milestones, is key. These age-linked milestones include skills seen in play, learning, speech, behavior, and movement.

Everyone can be part of the “developmental monitoring” process: parents, grandparents, daycare workers and teachers can give feedback on how a child is progressing.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has links to pages that can help: Learn the Signs, Act Early, which includes guidance on developmental milestones.

“If you notice that your child is not meeting developmental milestones, talk to your doctor or nurse about your concerns and ask about developmental screening,” the CDC advises.

“An ASD diagnosis now includes several conditions that used to be diagnosed separately; autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and Asperger syndrome,” said one of the experts.

Routine visits to the pediatrician, family doctor, and nursing staff may also include routine developmental monitoring, including questions about whether your child is meeting developmental milestones.

Also be sure to tell providers about any family history of autism, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Detection of developmental problems and autism

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises that all children receive developmental and behavioral screening during regular well-child visits at these ages:

Ideally, a reliable diagnosis should be made in childhood, when therapies are most effective, the CDC said.

When it comes to ASD screening specifically, screenings should be done at 18 months and 2 years of age, according to AAP recommendations.

Screening may also be done at other times, if a caregiver or doctor is concerned that a child may have autism, or if a child is at high risk for ASD (for example, the child has a sibling or other family member with ASD).

Don’t wait for the provider to offer you a developmental screening test for your child. If one is not performed at the recommended ages, “it may be requested,” the CDC said.

In a typical ASD evaluation, parents will be asked questions about “language, movement, and thinking skills, as well as behaviors and emotions,” the CDC said.

Brief developmental tests do not provide a diagnosis of ASD, but may indicate that an appropriate autism evaluation is needed.

Diagnosing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be difficult because there is no medical test, such as a blood test, to diagnose the disorder (Getty)

That evaluation “is a deeper look at a child’s development, and is usually performed by a trained specialist, such as a developmental pediatrician, child psychologist, speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, or other specialist,” the CDC said.

At that time, a specialist may give the child a structured test and ask parents and caregivers more questions.

“An ASD diagnosis now includes several conditions that used to be diagnosed separately; autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and Asperger syndrome,” the CDC noted. “Your doctor or other healthcare provider can help you understand and navigate the diagnostic process.”

And now that?

A formal evaluation of your child may indicate that early therapeutic interventions for ASD may be necessary. Additionally, the specialist may recommend genetic counseling and testing for your child, the CDC said.

SOURCE: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

*Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporters ©The New York Times 2024

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