Who Should Diagnose Your Child?
At your child’s wellness check-up, your family pediatrician should do a routine screening to see if your child is meeting certain developmental milestones. Your doctor will ask you specific questions about your child’s progress, and it’s important that you voice all your observations, including any concerns or problem behavior. Be honest. Your doctor isn’t there to judge you. He just wants to spot potential problems as soon as possible so your child can get help if he or she needs it.
If you or your pediatrician suspects autism, have your child evaluated by someone who specializes in diagnosing autism spectrum disorders. This can be done by a developmental pediatrician, child neurologist, psychologist, psychiatrist or other health professional whose job it is to assess specific areas of your child’s development.
Though any specialist you see should be experienced in diagnosing autism, each will have a different area of expertise. Here are some professionals who may be involved in the diagnosis of your child:
- Developmental pediatrician: Treats children with developmental delays or disabilities. Trained to evaluate a child’s differences in physical, cognitive, behavioral and emotional development.
- Child neurologist: Treats disorders of the nervous system (brain, spinal cord, muscles and nerves). Trained to understand childhood medical disorders and the special needs of the child and family.
- Child psychologist: Specializes in understanding developmental and learning disabilities in children. May work with child using behavioral or other therapies.
- Child psychiatrist: Trained to diagnose and treat behavioral and emotional disorders. Provides supportive care and medication when needed.
Other Professionals You May Encounter
Some diagnostic programs use a multi-disciplinary team that may include learning specialists, speech, occupational and physical therapists. Though these professionals aren’t trained to diagnose children, they may offer valuable information about your child’s development and behavior.
- Speech/language therapist: Assesses deficits in speech, language and cognitive-communication. Works with children to improve these skills.
- Occupational therapist: Works to improve child’s coordination and fine motor skills, focusing on practical, daily living skills like feeding oneself and getting dressed.
- Physical therapist: Helps develop and improve muscle strength, coordination and large motor skills.
- Learning specialist/consultant: Tests children to determine if they have specific learning disabilities and provides remedial assistance to help them overcome deficits.
- Certified behavior analyst: Implements interventions based on applied behavior analysis. Clinicians who conduct behavioral assessments and design and implement programs to increase skill and to reduce challenging behavior.
Get a Referral for an Autism Specialist
Have your pediatrician recommend specialists in your area, or find them through your local hospital, school district or support group. Other parents are a great resource, and many ASD support groups and networks post a list of recommended health professionals on their website.