| Are you the parent of a young child that is | | | | treatment. |
| concerned about theirdevelopment? Does your | | | | The Autism Society of Americas Web site |
| child, have unusual behavior, delays in | | | | contain information onscreening and diagnoses. |
| speech,refuses or is limited in their contact with | | | | They also state that the rate of the disorderis 1 |
| you and their peers? Thisarticle will briefly discuss | | | | in 150 children. |
| the definition of autism, diagnostic toolsused to | | | | For Screening they recommend that the child's |
| diagnose it, and resources to get more | | | | Doctor use a tool called |
| information. | | | | The Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (CHAT). This |
| Autism is a complex developmental disability that | | | | tool uses a shortquestionnaire that both the |
| usually appearsduring the first three years of a | | | | parents and the doctor fill out. Irecently heard |
| child's life. It is defined by aunique set of behaviors | | | | that the American Medical Association is |
| and is considered a spectrum disorder. In | | | | encouragingall doctors to screen their children |
| factsome people refer to it as Autism Spectrum | | | | patients at 18 months. |
| Disorder. What this means,is that a child can have | | | | For Diagnoses they recommend the childhood |
| different symptoms that go across a spectrum. | | | | autism rating scale, whichis also called the CARS. I |
| You will also hear terms like pervasive | | | | often ask for the CARS when I suspectthat a |
| developmental disordernot otherwise specified | | | | child may have autism. This scale also gives a |
| (PDD-NOS), asbergers syndrome, retts syndrome. | | | | rating of mild,moderate or severe, which is helpful |
| Pervasive Developmental Disorder refers to the | | | | to parents and special educationpersonnel. Do not |
| overall category and isnot a label for diagnostic | | | | confuse the CARS with the GARS! GARS stands |
| purposes. | | | | for the |
| 6 Signs: | | | | Gillium Autism Rating Scale, and is used in older |
| 1. Speech delay or communication problems (using | | | | children and adults. |
| and understandinglanguage. | | | | Some school districts do not like to diagnose |
| 2. Repetitive body movements or behavior | | | | children with autism. Iam not sure why, (perhaps |
| patterns. Also motormannerisms such as hand | | | | they are afraid that parents will ask for alot of |
| flapping or spinning toys or bottles. | | | | services). Do not accept special education |
| 3. Lack of spontaneous or make believe play, or | | | | personnels "opinion"that your child does or does |
| unusual play with toysand other objects. | | | | not have autism, ask for the CARS ratingscale. |
| 4. Lack of interest in peer and family relationships. | | | | Autism is a life long developmental disability that |
| 5. Little or no eye contact. | | | | will affect yourchild for their entire life. But studies |
| 6. Difficulty with changes in routine or familiar | | | | show that early diagnosis andtreatment will lead |
| surroundings. | | | | to much improved outcomes. You must make |
| These definitions were found at NICHCY and Both | | | | sure,that your child receive treatment as early as |
| sites contain a lot of information,including | | | | possible, for the bestlife outcome! |