Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Early diagnosis and intervention are key factors associated with a better prognosis. In the majority of Western countries, the average age of diagnosis of ASD is above four years, although it can be diagnosed before the age of two. 

There are currently no medical tests available for the diagnosis of autism. Specially trained doctors and psychologists therefore identify autism based on specific behaviours.

Parents are usually the first to realise their child has some strange habits, such as almost never looking into their eyes (eye contact avoidance), not responding to their name or playing with toys in a repetitive or unusual manner. 

Both the detection of some strange behaviours in a child and a comparison of the skills they have acquired with respect to their siblings or other children around them can represent warning signs. So the child may be quieter or more passive than others, utter very few words, perhaps they do not babble or use gestures to communicate, do not respond to their name or hardly ever smile or express pleasure when their parents try to share activities with them. 

The presence of a warning sign does not necessarily mean the child has a developmental problem. However, it does indicate the need for a more thorough assessment. It is therefore important to discuss any concerns with a paediatrician so they may perform the necessary tests to identify the causes of any warning signs; these causes could include hearing problems or delays in language development, amongst others. 

The main objective is to confirm or rule out the presence of a problem and obtain an accurate diagnosis as early as possible in order to plan the most suitable intervention for each child and their family. 

Upon identifying the risk of a communication and social development problem, the paediatrician will refer the family to a specialist for a more comprehensive assessment. Each catchment area has their own specialised care centres where a multidisciplinary medical team will evaluate different aspects of the child’s condition.