Getting Diagnose for Autism?!


Question: Hi, my son is 2 1/2 years old and he is showing signs of autism. We live near Houston, Texas. He is enrolled in the ECI program here but, it is not enough. I have read that 2 is the critical age for getting your child on track. I have tried getting him into doctors offices for a neurological exam, but they have such a long waiting list it's ridiculous. He will be three by the time he gets some help.

The question is does anyone know of any organizations where I can get some help right away. I will take all suggestions.

Please help!


Answers: Hi, my son is 2 1/2 years old and he is showing signs of autism. We live near Houston, Texas. He is enrolled in the ECI program here but, it is not enough. I have read that 2 is the critical age for getting your child on track. I have tried getting him into doctors offices for a neurological exam, but they have such a long waiting list it's ridiculous. He will be three by the time he gets some help.

The question is does anyone know of any organizations where I can get some help right away. I will take all suggestions.

Please help!

Autism Health Center Font SizeA A A The Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders
Although there are many concerns about labeling a young child with an ASD, the earlier the diagnosis of ASD is made, the earlier needed interventions can begin. Evidence over the last 15 years indicates that intensive early intervention in optimal educational settings for at least 2 years during the preschool years results in improved outcomes in most young children with ASD.

In evaluating a child, clinicians rely on behavioral characteristics to make a diagnosis. Some of the characteristic behaviors of ASD may be apparent in the first few months of a child's life, or they may appear at any time during the early years. For the diagnosis, problems in at least one of the areas of communication, socialization, or restricted behavior must be present before the age of 3. The diagnosis requires a two-stage process. The first stage involves developmental screening during "well child" check-ups; the second stage entails a comprehensive evaluation by a multidisciplinary team.

Screening
A "well child" check-up should include a developmental screening test. If your child's pediatrician does not routinely check your child with such a test, ask that it be done. Your own observations and concerns about your child's development will be essential in helping to screen your child. Reviewing family videotapes, photos, and baby albums can help parents remember when each behavior was first noticed and when the child reached certain developmental milestones.

Several screening instruments have been developed to quickly gather information about a child's social and communicative development within medical settings. Among them are the Checklist of Autism in Toddlers (CHAT), the modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT), the Screening Tool for Autism in Two-Year-Olds (STAT), and the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) (for children 4 years of age and older).

Some screening instruments rely solely on parent responses to a questionnaire, and some rely on a combination of parent report and observation. Key items on these instruments that appear to differentiate children with autism from other groups before the age of 2 include pointing and pretend play. Screening instruments do not provide individual diagnosis but serve to assess the need for referral for possible diagnosis of ASD. These screening methods may not identify children with mild ASD, such as those with high-functioning autism or Asperger syndrome.

During the last few years, screening instruments have been devised to screen for Asperger syndrome and higher functioning autism. The Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ), the Australian Scale for Asperger's Syndrome, and the most recent, the Childhood Asperger Syndrome Test (CAST), are some of the instruments that are reliable for identification of school-age children with Asperger syndrome or higher functioning autism. These tools concentrate on social and behavioral impairments in children without significant language delay.

If, following the screening process or during a routine "well child" check-up, your child's doctor sees any of the possible indicators of ASD, further evaluation is indicated.

I am no expert, by any means, but I believe in alternative treatments, especially where modern science had failed us. I have no experience in this, but I have heard that a strict diet can really help. I believe it is a gluten free one. I know it is kinda 'popular', but actress Jennie Mcarthy just wrote a book about her sons autism and how she has treated it alternatively, relatively 'curing' him. It may be a good start for you to see her experiences, and go from there...maybe look on Amazon to see the title and your local library may have it. Best of luck, leave no stone unturned!





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