Greetings subscribers, and Happy 2025! I wanted to take a moment to let you know that the newsletter is going to experience a few changes this year. Each month, there will be a designated topic that will be covered in that issue that relates to Autism. The topic for January and February is Autism Diagnosis and Identification.
Over the holidays, I thought a lot about this topic. One day, a young lady I know stopped me and explained that she has a 14-month-old child, and she is concerned he may warrant evaluation for a possible Autism diagnosis. She explained that he says one word, does not point to indicate interest or wave at familiar people, watches one show he likes, and if that show is not on, he will cry. He also exhibits some stereotypical movements. She asked where in our area she could get an evaluation for him.
I explained that 14 months old is quite early to be given a formal diagnosis of Autism. Autism is usually able to be formally diagnosed as early as age 2, but in some cases, may be diagnosed in the teen or adult years depending on the individual’s case. I encouraged her to continue to observe her child and try to engage him: talk to him, read to him and point out things in his books, try to see if he will sit with you and play with a toy, etc. At his next checkup, I suggested she describe in detail her child’s behavior to his pediatrician and bring up her concerns. By 18 months, one can start to get a better indication of a child’s social behavior and communication and any difficulties he or she may be having. A knowledgeable pediatrician should also know to provide certain screenings on the patient. The CDC recommends screening for indications of Autism as early as 9 months and again at 18 months. I explained that if by 18 months, her child’s behavior is still the same or worsens, her pediatrician may recommend clinical evaluation for a potential diagnosis of Autism and be able to refer her to a qualified provider in her area.
It’s important to note that Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder which primarily impacts a child’s communication and social interaction skills. Such a diagnosis should be made by someone in the medical field such as a child psychiatrist or developmental pediatrician rather. Then someone within your child’s school system. An educational professional may recommend that you seek possible evaluation for Autism or may function as part of your child’s treatment team, such as a speech language pathologist or an occupational therapist but cannot make a formal medical diagnosis of Autism.
Note: The views expressed in this column are those of the author and are intended for informational purposes only. They do not necessarily reflect the official stance of IRCA and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical, educational, or therapeutic advice.