Irina Mirzow

Understanding the Autism Testing Process

It can be very hard for an individual that has autism to be diagnosed. This could be because there is no medical test for it. However, doctors can use an autism testing process that can determine if your child is on the autism spectrum. Generally, this is done by looking at the behavior of the child, along with their development.

In some individuals, autism can be easy to spot. Various people have been diagnosed around the age of 18 months. For others, it was 2 years old. However, it is not uncommon for a person to be diagnosed years later. In fact, for some people, they did not receive a diagnosis until they were in their teenage years or even into adulthood.

There are different signs that a health care provider would look for when undergoing autism testing. These things may include the person avoiding eye contact, having a minor change in routine that they are not able to handle, not have much interest in a caretaker or other kids, and having fewer words in their vocabulary. Some of these children may even find some words difficult to use.

If you begin to notice these things in your child, you will want to act upon them. The sooner you are able to have autism testing done on your child, the better. Here are some milestones that children at various ages are performing. If your child is not making these milestones happen, you will want to ask your health care provider about it.

At two months old, a child will begin to smile at those around him. They will make cooing noises and starts to act bored.

At nine months old, a child is beginning to understand the word no. They have favorite toys, start to copy others, and put things in their mouths.

At the age of 18 months, a child can shake their head back and forth to signal no and say the word. They have single words they also say and are likely to have temper tantrums.

At the age of 24 months, a child can follow simple instructions and are beginning to speak in 2 to 4 word sentences. They are often excited to see other children and can point to different parts of the body. At 2, a child starts to become defiant.

Remember, it is very important to catch any delay in your children from all aspects. This includes social and emotional, language, cognitive, and physical development. If you feel that your child is delayed, speak to a doctor about it. They may recommend autism testing to begin to rule out various things.