Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Screening

What is autism spectrum disorder screening?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in a person's brain. ASD affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave. It can be diagnosed at any age, but symptoms usually show up in the first two years of life and can be life-long.

ASD is called a "spectrum disorder" because there is a wide range of symptoms and strengths in people with ASD. For example, some people with ASD may not talk at all, while others have strong language skills. The learning, thinking, and problem-solving abilities of people with ASD may range from severely challenged to gifted.

ASD screening is mainly used for young children. It helps find out whether a child has any early signs that could be ASD. However, screening cannot diagnose ASD. If a screening shows that a child may have the disorder, more testing will be needed to find out for sure.

ASD screening in early childhood is important because early treatment for ASD can help reduce autism symptoms and improve quality of life. For this reason, healthcare providers routinely screen children for ASD before age two. Older children and adults may also be screened if they have symptoms of ASD but have never been diagnosed with the disorder.

Providers used to group ASD into different types of autism based on a person's symptoms. These were called Asperger syndrome, autistic disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). These terms are no longer used to diagnose ASD.

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If you're concerned about your child or teen, talk with your child's provider even if your child had a normal ASD screening in the past.

Adults may need ASD screening if they have problems that could be signs of autism, but they were never diagnosed with ASD. Usually, their symptoms are mild, which is why they were not diagnosed earlier. Their challenges may include:

Problems communicating and interacting with others, such as having trouble understanding other people's emotions

Restricted interests and/or repetitive behaviours

Trouble understanding what behaviour is expected in school, work, or other areas of life

Adults with ASD may also have difficulty keeping a schedule and setting long-term goals. They often have other conditions such as anxiety, depression, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

What happens during an autism spectrum disorder screening?

For children: Screening for ASD is usually done by your child's paediatrician (a doctor who specializes in treating children) or nurse. Screening may also be done in school by trained professionals. The screening may have one or more parts, including:

Questionnaires. You'll usually complete one or more questionnaires. The questions ask about your child's development and behaviour, including speech, movement, thinking, and emotions. ASD often runs in families, so you may also be asked about your family health history.

Observation. The provider will watch how your child plays and interacts with you and/or others. For example, the provider will check if your child responds to your laugh or looks at a person who tries to get their attention. Not responding may be a sign of ASD.

Interactive screening tests. These tests are play activities, such as playing make-believe with dolls or other toys. These tests are designed to check your child's communication skills, social behaviour, and other abilities.

For adults, screening tools for ASD are still being developed and tested. Your primary care provider may refer you to a specialist, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. 

The specialist may:

Talk with you about the challenges you face in your day-to-day life

Ask you to complete a questionnaire about your symptoms

Ask to talk with family members who remember what you were like as a young child

Do screening tests for depression, ADHD, and/or anxiety, which are common in people who have ASD

Children who show signs of ASD often need to see a specialist for more testing. Several types of specialists may be trained to diagnose ASD, including:

Developmental paediatricians, doctors who have training in child development and treating children with special needs

Child neurologists are doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions involving the brain, spine, and nerves

Child psychologists or psychiatrists, providers who diagnose and treat children who have mental health, behavioral and/or developmental conditions. Psychologists usually have doctoral degrees (PhDs), and psychiatrists are medical doctors (MDs).

No one test can diagnose ASD. So, a specialist will use a combination of methods, including:

Detailed questionnaires and/or interviews with parents, teachers, or caregivers

Watching the child's behaviour

Tests to evaluate the child's thinking, learning, and language abilities

Exams to check for other conditions that can cause behaviour and/or communication problems. 

These exams may check:

The nervous system

Hearing

Vision

Genetic testing to look for inherited disorders that can cause ASD. If ASD runs in your family, these tests may be done to help make a diagnosis. Otherwise, they may be done after ASD is diagnosed to help guide treatment.

If your child is diagnosed with ASD, get treatment as soon as possible. ASD treatment involves a variety of services and support depending on your child's needs.

Adults who show signs of ASD may see a psychologist, psychiatrist, neuropsychologist, or other specialist with experience diagnosing ASD in adults. But it can be difficult to find a specialist with this experience. That's because adult testing to diagnose ASD is fairly new. If you would like to find out if you have ASD, ask your primary care provider to help you find a specialist. You might also try contacting an organization in your community that supports people with ASD.

Inputs Courtesy: ENT Specialist Doctor with 41 years of experience. He can be reached Only on  WhatsApp messages at 9243301223.