For parents and families, identifying autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be difficult given the wide range of the disorder and the many ways it can present itself. An important step in screening your child for ASD is annual wellness check-ups with your pediatrician. They can help you determine if your child is demonstrating signs of autism and make appropriate referrals when needed.
It’s also important to communicate openly with your child’s educators and other caregivers regarding any behavior that might point to early signs of autism.
Diagnosing autism
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) outlines the following diagnostic criteria for ASD:
- Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts.
- Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests or activities.
- Symptoms must be present in the early developmental period (but may not fully manifest until social demands exceed limited capacities or may be masked by learned strategies later in life).
- Symptoms cause clinically significant impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning.
- These disturbances are not better explained by intellectual disability (intellectual developmental disorder) or global developmental delays.
Diagnosing ASD typically relies on your child’s history and an assessment by your child’s pediatrician, followed by additional observation and review by behavioral experts. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all children be screened for ASD at their 18- and 24-month wellness check-up. If you notice changes in your child’s behavior or social interactions, talk with your family doctor or pediatrician.
Additional autism screening and diagnosis resources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Autism Society screening diagnosis
- Autism Research Institute screening assessment
Talking with your pediatrician
If you’re concerned your child might have ASD, the best first step is talking with your pediatrician. They can help you navigate what an autism diagnosis means and provide support and resources. It’s important to partner with a pediatrician you trust and who you feel is taking your concerns seriously. Start by sharing what you’ve observed in your child’s behavior. Discuss appropriate age milestones, make note of any you feel your child is not experiencing and bring a list of questions you have to the appointment to help facilitate the best next steps and behavioral testing.
Additional autism support tools and resources
- 10 milestones to watch for by age 5
- Understanding a child with developmental differences
- Learn the early signs of ASD
- How pediatricians screen for autism
