Autism Diagnosis
Recognizing Autism Signs and Symptoms
Before committing to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, your child must receive an official autism diagnosis. Here at ABA Centers of Delaware, we make the process easy with screening, testing, and diagnosis for autism. When you notice autism signs, communication struggles, or other developmental challenges, our team can help your family decide the next steps.
If you’ve been researching how to schedule an autism diagnosis, you have probably noticed that getting an official test and diagnosis can be challenging, taking months or even years. Our mission is to help. We’ve established the groundwork and resources to reduce the wait for an autism diagnosis and get your child the evaluation they need.
Contact Us Today with No Obligation
When you’re ready to schedule an initial autism testing consultation, we will listen, catalog your concerns, guide you through autism symptoms, ask the right questions, and explore appointment options. We will also verify any applicable insurance benefits with you.
Autism Evaluation & Diagnosis
Identifying autism signs. Our medical specialists will follow up on your initial diagnosis appointment by diligently examining the results from the autism testing session, a process that generally requires one to two weeks.
Preliminary Assessment
You and your child will meet with our clinical team during your appointment. This autism evaluation includes play-based activities in an engaging environment and the use of ADOS-2 (the current industry standard for autism assessment). The comprehensive autism screening appointment traditionally takes 2 to 4 hours and entails various components to recognize autism symptoms effectively.
Autism Diagnostic Findings
We will schedule a subsequent appointment to share our review and inform you of any diagnoses, including care recommendations and a written report. At ABA Centers of Delaware, your child’s comfort is our top priority, and we allocate ample time, discuss the results thoroughly, and offer any support you may need.
Autism Testing: How Does an Autism Diagnosis Happen?
An Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis relies on a comprehensive examination of a child’s behavior and developmental history; it is not the result of a medical test.
Early intervention is critical for children with autism, especially those between the ages of 2 and 5, to address autism symptoms and ensure an independent and successful life. This intervention guarantees that they receive the appropriate therapy and support.
We recommend a developmental screening if you’ve noticed any autism signs or delays in your child’s development. Studies indicate that 1 out of every 4 children under 6 years old is at risk of experiencing developmental delays or disabilities. Medical professionals conduct these screenings at 9, 18, and 30 months. If developmental challenges continue, undergoing a 24-month development screening is advisable.
During your child’s developmental screening, you may be asked to complete a questionnaire regarding your child’s history and behavior. These mini-evaluations act to find patterns or deficits in development, including:
- Behavior
- Emotions
- Language
- Thinking
- Movement
We can assist you with autism testing and diagnosis. If you believe your child might have autism following this screening. The testing methods utilized to diagnose autism are:
- The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2): This test analyzes your child’s patterns with close attention to repetitive behavior, play, communication, and social skills.
- The Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised Test: A conversation between you and an expert to better understand your child’s behavior and your primary concerns.
- The Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Second Edition: This 15-question test helps determine whether your child may have a condition outside traditional autism. This test is critical, as behaviors observed in autism can also occur in other disorders, such as ADHD.
- RAADS-R (Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised): This assessment helps identify autism characteristics, including those associated with Asperger’s, in older individuals or those previously undiagnosed.
- Plus, any additional assessments that can help clarify an autism diagnosis, involving your child’s problem-solving, motor skills, hearing, language mastery, and vision.
Start Your Child's Austim Care with Delaware's Top ABA Therapy
Autism testing and diagnosis are essential, but they are the first steps to better outcomes for neurodivergent children. ABA therapy can be a transformative undertaking that leaves many parents and caregivers astounded by their child’s daily living progress.
You can depend on ABA Centers of Delaware to facilitate a comprehensive diagnostic experience for your child and family. For more information about ASD services, including testing, diagnosis, and ABA Therapy, call us at (844) 855-8517.
