How is Autism Diagnosed?
Currently, there is no single medical test that will
definitively diagnose autism. Instead, the diagnosis
is made on the basis of observable characteristics of
the individual.
Because most children start showing symptoms of autism
at about 18-24 months, British researchers have developed
a screening tool called the Checklist for Autism in
Toddlers (CHAT). The CHAT
(which takes five minutes to administer) has been shown
to be highly effective in predicting which children
will develop autism, PDD, Asperger's or other developmental
syndromes. Read
more from the British Journal of Psychiatry.
Before embarking on any sort of diagnosis, however,
it is important to rule out possible physical causes
for an individual's behavior. Please consult your physician
or pediatrician if you have concerns about a family
member or friend.
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