Navigating the Autism Assessment Journey
If you're concerned about your child's behavior and suspect they might be showing signs of autism, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor about getting an assessment. Professionals commonly use a tool called the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) for this purpose.
The ADOS is a test that helps professionals, such as clinicians or school systems, evaluate and diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorders in children. During the assessment, two clinicians will watch your child do different activities. One clinician will lead the activities and the other will take notes.
The evaluation usually lasts 45 minutes to 1 hour, then there's a meeting with parents to get more information. The process involves standardized scenarios in four different modules, each tailored to the child's age and functioning level.
For example, one scenario might involve creating a pretend birthday party using play-doh and a baby doll. The goal is to assess your child's imaginative play ability. Additionally, they will observe other important behaviors including pointing, responding to their name, language and communication, and repetitive behaviors.
It's worth mentioning that the ADOS is not the only tool for diagnosing autism. Other assessments, like the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R), involve structured interviews with parents to gather more data about their child's behavior.
If you're considering an ADOS assessment, and your child is under the age of 5, you may be allowed to sit in on the assessment. However, it’s important to keep in mind that having parents present might affect the child's performance during the assessment.
Remember, it's essential to explore various diagnostic tools to get a comprehensive understanding of your child's development. If you have concerns about your child displaying autism signs or symptoms, reaching out to your child’s doctor and discussing these options is a crucial first step.
If you’re not sure where to start, or your child doesn’t have an ongoing relationship with a doctor, a diagnostician can help. These doctors specialize in providing diagnostic services, conducting assessments, and providing an autism diagnosis when it is appropriate. Behavior Frontiers is proud to partner with diagnosticians across the country!
If you believe that your child is showing signs of ASD, contact us today to schedule an assessment. We would be happy to put you in touch with a diagnostician in your area. We even have diagnostic professionals who can perform all of the necessary assessments via telehealth, in order to minimize disruptions to your schedule and household.
If your child receives a diagnosis and qualifies for ABA treatment, we can also provide a written treatment order to help your child start receiving this critical support right away. In many cases, there is NO COST to the family for the assessment. Contact us today to see if you qualify!