HOW IS AUTISM DIAGNOSED?
There are no laboratory tests for autism. Autism is diagnosed by a psychologist, pediatrician, pediatric neurologist or child psychiatrist using a combination of history, interview of current behavior, observation of the child and standardized testing (conducted by a psychologist). Teachers as well as parents often provide input during diagnostic determination. Tests of intellectual and language functioning, and adaptive behavior are typically conducted as well. Some tests screen for the possibility a child may have autism, such as the Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Gilliam Autism Rating Scale, the Social Communication Quotient and Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, but do not diagnose it. The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule is the “gold standard” for autism diagnosis, which together with other information listed above is used to arrive at a diagnosis.
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