Learn more about autism screenings and your child.
When it comes to physical health problems, it’s fairly easy to achieve a diagnosis through a simple blood test or physical exam; however, it isn’t as black and white when it comes to diagnosing autism spectrum disorder (ASD). If our Hobart, IN, pediatrician Dr. Marc Connery has recommended that your child be screened for autism, here are some things we think you should know about the diagnostic process.
We’re Always Monitoring Development
Along with making sure that your child is healthy, one of the biggest reasons to turn to our Hobart, IN, pediatrician Dr. Connery and his team for regular well-child visits is for developmental monitoring. By making sure that your child is reaching certain developmental milestones we can often rule out or pinpoint signs of autism early on. If you notice that your child isn’t reaching certain milestones, it’s important that you talk with our pediatric team as soon as possible to address your concerns.
Determining Risk Factors for ASD
There are many factors that can help us assess whether a child is at risk for ASD. Through regular wellness checkups with our practice, we can observe your child for signs of ASD. These checkups in combination with family history, parent’s observations and comprehensive health exams performed by our team, can help us assess whether your child is at an increased risk for autism.
Note that all children that turn to our Hobart, IN, practice will be screened for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during their well-child visits at 18 and 24 months even if they aren’t showing any signs. Additional screenings may also be necessary if your child is at a higher risk for ASD.
A Screening is Not a Diagnosis
It’s important to recognize that while an autism screening tool can provide us more insight into your child’s behaviors, this is not a formal diagnosis. A screening allows our team to take a closer look at your child’s behaviors and habits and determine if there are areas of developmental concern. From there, we can determine if additional evaluations are needed. The most common screening tools used for childhood ASD include,
- Ages and Stages Questionnaires
- Pervasive Developmental Disorders Screening Test-II
- Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales
- Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers
We understand the complexities and overwhelm that can come with an autism diagnosis. If you have any questions or concerns, know that Dr. Connery and the team at Brickyard Pediatrics are here for you and your family. If you have concerns about your child’s behavior or habits, call our Hobart, IN, practice at (219) 940-9605 to schedule a consultation.