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Autism tests & diagnosisAutism guideIn reality there are no medical tests that can confirm the presence of autism. A true diagnosis can only be made via keen observation and analysis of a prospective patient's interaction, behavior and development. However this does not undermine the importance of autism tests and diagnosis. This is because a large number of autism symptoms are similar to other disorders and diseases. Certain medical tests need to be conducted on children, which helps diagnose or discount the occurrence of other diseases. Tests and diagnosis help differentiate autism from other disorders. Based upon these tests, medical practitioners and consultants can create suitable and efficient instructive and treatment agenda for autistic persons. Diagnosis of autism in the early stages goes a long way in helping autistic people for their lifetime. Statistics suggest that initial diagnosis in the early stages helps provide an improved outcome as they can start receiving specialized treatment in the first stages of autism. In most cases, characteristic autism symptoms may not be clear at infancy. There are certain symptoms that call for autism diagnosis. This includes instances when a child does not make sounds within the first year, engages in minimal physical activity, does not mimic words by 16 months, is not capable of speaking 2 words at a time by 2 years and/or suddenly starts displaying a loss in verbal or social skills. If a child has any of these symptoms it does not necessarily imply autism. These conditions need to be tested by neurologists, psychologists, developmental pediatricians, speech/language therapists, learning consultants and other qualified persons who are certified to diagnose autism. There are no behavioral or communications tests that can determine autism and people are dependant upon special screening instruments that help in the diagnosis. The CARS rating system, which is the Childhood Autism Rating Scale revolves around observed behavior. This 15-point scale helps experts study a child's association with others, limb movement, adaptation to change, responsiveness and verbal communication. The Checklist for Autism in Toddlers helps screen for autism when a child is a year and a half old. It is based upon a short questionnaire with 2 sectors. As such one sector is prepared by the parents, and the other by a toddler's physician/pediatrician. The Autism Screening Questionnaire has 40 sub parts on the screening scale. This is used for children who are four year olds and above. This helps evaluate and analyze communication skills and social behavior. The Screening Test for Autism in Two-Year Olds revolves around direct observation of behavioral patterns in kids who are less than 2 years of age. In this test play patterns; motor replication and joint attention are observed. Hearing tests, lead tests, autism screening tests and the Ages and Stages Questionnaire may also be used. Other tests include the BRIGANCE® Screens, The Child Development Inventories, The Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status, Pervasive Developmental Disorders Screening Test and the Australian Scale for Asperger's Syndrome. GARS, PIA, ADI-R, Observation tests, STAT, ADOS-G, Neurological Evaluation, Clinical Diagnosis DSM-IV, developmental evaluations and Speech-Language-Communication Assessments may be required. At times the Cognitive and Adaptive Behavior Assessment, Occupational Therapy, Assessment of Family Resources and/or the Neuropsychological Assessment may be recommended. Behavioral and academic assessments, laboratory, metabolic and genetic tests may also be required. Even electrophysiology and neuroimaging are used to test autistic conditions. |
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