Evaluation & Diagnosis
There are no medical tests for diagnosing autism. An accurate
diagnosis must be based on observation of the individual's
communication, behavior, and developmental levels. However, because
many of the behaviors associated with autism are shared by other
disorders, various medical tests may be ordered to rule out or
identify other possible causes of the symptoms being exhibited. At
first glance, some persons with autism may appear to have mental
retardation, a behavior disorder, problems with hearing, or even odd
and eccentric behavior. To complicate matters further, these
conditions can co-occur with autism. However, it is important to
distinguish autism from other conditions, since an accurate
diagnosis and early identification can provide the basis for
building an appropriate and effective educational and treatment
program.
A brief observation in a single setting cannot present a true
picture of an individual's abilities and behaviors. Parental (and
other caregivers' and/or teachers) input and developmental history
are very important components of making an accurate diagnosis.
Early Diagnosis
Research indicates that early diagnosis is associated with
dramatically better outcomes for individuals with autism. The
earlier a child is diagnosed, the earlier the child can begin
benefiting from one of the many specialized intervention approaches
treatment and education.