Screening

Parents or guardians may sometimes overlook or misinterpret certain aspects related to Autism, particularly when seeking a diagnosis or navigating support services.

Here are some common areas that can be missed…

1. Early Signs of Autism:

- Subtle Developmental Delays: Parents may not recognize early signs of Autism, such as delays in social communication or repetitive behaviors, especially if they are subtle or masked by other factors.

2. Co-occurring Conditions:

- Additional Health Issues: Autism often co-occurs with other conditions like sensory processing disorders, ADHD, or anxiety. Parents might focus on one issue while other related problems remain unaddressed.

3. Cultural and Linguistic Factors:

- Cultural Norms: In some cultures, behaviors associated with Autism may be misinterpreted or normalized, leading to delays in seeking help or misdiagnosis.

4. Early Intervention Benefits:

- Timeliness of Intervention: Parents may not fully understand the importance of early intervention and the potential benefits of starting therapy and support services as soon as possible.

5. Communication and Behavioral Patterns:

- Misinterpreting Behavior: Parents might misinterpret Autism-related behaviors as typical childhood behavior or due to disciplinary issues, rather than seeking professional evaluation.

Understanding these potential gaps can help parents and guardians be more proactive in seeking appropriate support and services for their child.

While no single behavioral or communication assessment can definitively diagnose Autism, several screening tools can help determine if a child might need further evaluation for developmental delays and/or Autism.

Notable tools include:

• Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ): A developmental screening tool that monitors a child's growth and identifies areas where further evaluation might be needed.

• Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT): A specific screening tool designed to assess the likelihood of Autism in toddlers and identify those who may need more comprehensive evaluation.

 Click Here, for screening.