As a parent, you may have noticed some signs and symptoms that could indicate your child has autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to getting your child professionally diagnosed. This blog post will explain the steps involved in how to get an autism diagnosis.
Steps to Get an Autism Diagnosis for Your Child
1. Gather Information and Make Notes
The first step is to gather as much information about autism spectrum disorder as you can. Make notes about any signs or symptoms you have observed in your child, including their behavior, communication style, social interactions, sensory processing, and other developmental milestones. You can use these notes when making an appointment with a specialist or when talking to your child’s doctor.
2. Speak With Your Pediatrician
Your pediatrician will be able to provide helpful guidance on whether it is necessary for your child to undergo further evaluation or testing by a specialist. They may also be able to provide referrals to specialists in your area who are experienced in diagnosing ASD.
3. Seek an Evaluation From a Specialist
If your pediatrician does suggest that your child should receive further evaluation from a specialist, make an appointment as soon as possible. Before the appointment, be sure to bring along any notes you made regarding the signs and symptoms of autism that you have observed in your child. During the appointment, the specialist will review this information with you and conduct assessments of your child’s development. Depending on their age, they may also complete questionnaires or perform tasks to assess their language ability and social skills. The specialist may also ask questions about any family history of autism spectrum disorder or other medical or mental health conditions that could affect the results of the assessment.
4. Receive Results
After completing all necessary evaluations and assessments, the specialist will provide you with results that either confirm or rule out ASD as a diagnosis for your child. If they do receive an autism diagnosis, they may also recommend treatments such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, behavior therapy, medications, dietary changes, etc., depending on their individual needs.
Circle City ABA is here to help determine a plan for your child. We understand that caring for children with autism also means caring about their families – so we provide full-family education and support from day one. You’re an active and involved part of the process. To us, that means we’re here to walk you through what we’re doing and why; we share in your child’s wins together, and we’re always available to answer questions, discuss concerns, or workshop solutions to problems together. Contact us to get started on your journey.
