Diagnosing Autism
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Diagnosing Autism
Diagnosing Autism
Autism is a complex neurological disorder that cannot be diagnosed through medical tests.
Instead, a diagnosis is made based on the presence or absence of certain observable behaviors. Qualified and experienced professionals should perform a comprehensive evaluation to determine the presence of autism symptoms and the impact that these symptoms have on an individual’s life.
Because of its complexity, a diagnosis of autism should not be made after a 15 minute exam in a doctor’s office. Rather, it should only be made after an in-depth assessment process that includes the use of diagnostic instruments specifically determined to be valid for autism, along with observations of the individual in multiple settings. Additionally, because a diagnosis requires symptoms to be present prior to the age of 3, a careful and detailed developmental history should be collected from a parent or caregiver.
To ensure consistency in diagnosis, professionals use standard diagnostic criteria found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual – 5th Edition (DSM-V). This manual specifies the required number of symptoms needed in the three core diagnostic areas, which include socialization, communication and repetitive/restricted behaviors and interests. These symptoms must be determined to cause significant impairment in an individual’s life. Finally, the manual requires professionals to ensure that other medical and/or psychological conditions are not present to account for the symptoms.
What are the recommended comprehensive diagnostic measures?
A diagnosis should never be given based on the results of a screening.
If a screening is positive, a comprehensive evaluation should be undertaken. Several diagnostic instruments are reliable and valid indicators of the presence or absence of autism. The instruments must be administered by specially trained evaluators and include the:
- ADOS – Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule – (5)
- ADI-R – Autism Diagnostic Inventory – Revised – (6)
- CARS – Childhood Autism Rating Scale – (7)
In addition to the use of one or more of the above measures, the evaluation should include a detailed developmental and medical history and observations of the individual in structured and natural settings.