Although autism has certain symptomatic pointers, such as overwhelming anxiety in social settings, which can lead to the sufferer preferring to be alone, plus the inability to understand other people’s thoughts and feelings, which can again lead to alienation. All these are still part of a jigsaw puzzle that needs to be pieced together in order to make an accurate final diagnosis of this condition.
Some symptoms can be noticed early in a child’s development, and this can lead to quick intervention and extra help a child with autism needs.
A child can be diagnosed with autism at 18 months of age or younger. If a child is two years old or over, then a diagnosis of autism can be considered reliable, especially if a trained expert in autism is behind the diagnosis. It is important to get a diagnosis as early as possible so that children can get the expert help they need to deal with this disorder.
Developmental monitoring is an active process that monitors the growth and development of children. It tracks whether a child is hitting normal developmental targets, such as how quickly they learn new skills, such as speaking, and whether they play, interact, and behave normally around other children and adults.
Parents, teachers, medical staff, and others that are part of the lives of children, such as childminders, can all help with the developmental monitoring of children. If any concerns arise, such as behavioural issues or learning abnormalities are observed, then these can be examined and discussed among all the parties involved. Again, these can all help diagnose autism early.
Developmental and behavioural screening is a method of examining the development of children more closely and in greater detail at different stages of their early lives. Not only is development closely examined, but the behaviour is also screened closely too.
By doing this, any warning signs of possible developments of symptoms associated with autism can be noted. Such screenings can include questionnaires that compare developmental and behavioural checklists of individual children with others of the same age.
Healthcare professionals are mainly behind this sort of screening, but schoolteachers can also help observe children of the same age playing and learning together, as well as their social interaction and emotional development.
If any problems in either area are observed, then intervention from child psychologists, developmental paediatricians, and other childcare experts can help the children affected.
Well-child visits are provided by child health care specialists who monitor the health of children during a period of rapid growth. A physical examination, including the monitoring of height and weight, is part of the visit and assessment. Even hearing and vision testing should be expected to be carried out.
Discussions with parents regarding their child’s sleep patterns, eating habits, and emotional health can also take place. Well-child visits and tests can be expected throughout early childhood and into the early teen years.
An early diagnosis of autism is essential in order to give the child with this disorder all the help they need during the early years of life, which are stages of both rapid physical and mental development.
The monitoring of the behaviour and learning of children, both as individuals and when placed in a group setting with other children of their own age, can help with a diagnosis and also highlight the effects autism has on children.
Well-child visits and tests can focus on the general health of children, too, and treat and prevent any potential physical and mental problems that may develop during these vital years in a young person’s life.