Diagnosis and Tests for Autism

  • Autism
    Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) is a complex neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain and, in particular, the processing of social information.  Autism Spectrum Disorder, Autistic Disorder, Asperger's Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)
Submitted by PatientsEngage on 21 January 2016

Diagnosing autism 
At present, there is no definitive medical test to identify individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Professionals diagnose autism spectrum disorders through the presence or absence of certain behaviours, characteristic symptoms and developmental delays. ASD is diagnosed through an assessment which includes observing and meeting with the individual, their family and other people who interact with the child. Information is gathered regarding the individual’s strengths and difficulties, particularly in the areas of social interaction and social communication as well as restricted and repetitive interests, activities and behaviours.

There is no single behaviour that indicates ASD. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and can change as the child grows. No two children with ASD are alike. This makes understanding the condition and finding the best therapies difficult.

There are no blood tests that can detect ASD. Developmental pediatricians, psychiatrists and psychologists with experience in assessing individuals with ASD are qualified to make a diagnosis.

Community
Developmental Challenges
Condition
Autism
Changed
Mon, 07/10/2017 - 21:33

Stories

  • Youngsters with Disabilities Learn Life Skills at Supermarket
    Dr Mihir Parekh, child psychologist and special educator, has recently opened Urja Mart, a supermarket handled by youngsters with Down’s syndrome and on the Autism spectrum. Here, he talks about how the initiative will help them gain real world experience and employability skills. Dr Parekh, you have recently opened a supermarket, Urja Mart, managed by youngsters with special needs. Could you tell us a little about your unique initiative? Urja Mart is a training mart for children with special…
  • Upcoming Webinar: Stepping Out For Social Inclusion
    Stepping Out For Social Inclusion: A Dialogue For Inclusive Society Socialisation is necessary for everyone. However persons with disabilities and their families face barriers and challenges with respect to social acceptance and inclusion. We speak with parents of young adults with developmental challenges to understand how they have navigated the social barriers over the years, what has worked, what has not worked. When :20th Jan 2022 4PM IST Panelists: - Akila Vaidyanathan - Ruchika Sethi…
  • "Accumulate Beautiful Moments With Your Child And Family"
    Sindhu Saiprasad from Ernakulam, Kerala talks about her son Nikhil who is on the autism spectrum and got a late diagnosis of a rare genetic disorder Fanconi Anemia and how that has impacted their lives. Please tell us a bit about your child’s condition.  Nikhil is a young adult who has autism with seizures. Until 18 years of age Nikhil was coping with the challenges of autism. He is partially verbal with need-based communication and was on seizure medicines from early childhood. However,…
  • Webinar: Epilepsy Is More Than Seizures
    8th February was International Epilepsy Day and this year since the theme is "More than seizures", we focus on how it affects children, schooling, adolescence, learning, marriage, pregnancy and more Our panelists were Dr. Pradnya Gadgil - Consultant Pediatric Neurologist, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital Yashoda Wakankar - Neuro counsellor and person with Epilepsy We covered a wide range of topics  02:20 What is epilepsy 04:40 Not all seizures are epilepsy 06:35 Onset of epilepsy…
  • Autistic young man in black and his sister in red
    His Magic and Madness Holds the Family Together
    Shreya Jain, neurodiversity advocate and founder of Reservoir, talks about her brother on the autism spectrum and how she provides financial and legal security solutions to the special needs community. Could you tell us a bit about your brother? How has autism shaped your relationship with him? My brother, Suvrat, was diagnosed with autism at the age of two and a half years. I was about 7 at the time. I remember my mom running across the country with this little baby boy because she thought he…
  • 6 Most Important Documents Needed For A Child With Special Needs!
    Chitra lyer, a Special Needs Parent and a Trustee at Forum for Autism on the documents required to ensure that the child with special needs is well looked after.   The first step is to know exactly which documents are essential, the legal actions needed to protect your child and the correct steps to secure your child’s financial future. Without these, you will always wonder if your Child’s future is secure and whether you will be able to protect him/her legally and financially,…
  • Hard On My Son As Pools Shut Due To Covid
    Young Siddhartha Shakya on the autism spectrum curses the Covid pandemic for closure of all swimming pools that deprives him of his most favourite activity – swimming. His mother Purnima recounts his growing edginess and emotional flare-ups. For 13-year-old Siddhartha on the autism spectrum disorder, Covid has been a big bore. It has snatched away his most enjoyable and exciting activity – swimming. With all pools shut since the beginning of the lockdown, he has not been able to swim for nearly…
  • Building Self-Esteem in Kids through Photography
    Leading photographer and artist Samar Singh Jodha, has been conducting workshops for marginalised and disabled children in Asia and Africa to empower and bring joy to their lives with the help of the camera. Here he talks about his transformative initiative. I have been conducting photography workshop on pro bono basis for underprivileged children in Asia, Africa and Middle East. Over the last several years, the workshops have been going beyond the honing of children’s creativity to help raise…
  • Taking Pictures of Lockdown for Dadu
    Ashu, 23, a nonverbal grandson with autism, bonds with his 83-year-old grandfather miles away during Covid-19 lockdown, through pictures, videos and daily zoom breakfast sessions. Sushmita Kar, Ashu’s mom and Dadu's daughter, gives a heartfelt account. Few months back, the days were so beautiful. There was no fear of people, or anxiety about going anywhere. The sun looked like one in fairy tales unfolding in a golden hue. Like everyone else, our plans and prayers were laid out on the eve of…
  • Forging Friendships On The Spectrum
    Nishant Sriram, is a young man on the autism spectrum and shares his feelings about friendships. His mother, Akila Vaidyanathan reflects on his friendships and relationships over the years.   Till a few years ago it was believed that persons with Autism actually prefer to be alone and do not like or need friendships. However, there is more and more evidence and voices that prove that this is not really true. Persons with Autism have communication and socialization deficits which may…