children s health issues
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders
A doctor's evaluation Reports of parents and other caregivers Standardized autism-specific screening tests The diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder is made by close observation of the child in a playroom setting and careful questioning of parents and teachers. Standardized autism-specific screening tests, such as the Social Communication Questionnaire for older children and the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised, with Follow-Up (M-CHAT-R/F), may help identify children who need more in-depth testing. Psychologists and other specialists may use the more extensive Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedules and other tools. In addition to giving standardized tests, doctors do certain blood or genetic tests to look for underlying treatable or inherited medical disorders, such as Overview of Hereditary Metabolic Disorders and 