skip banner - Return to original view
site viewing options
 
Parents|Medical Information|Professionals|In your area|Campaigns

Autism Spectrum disorders including Asperger syndrome

How is it diagnosed?

There is no biological "test" for Autism. Diagnosis is dependent on careful developmental history taking, specifically enquiring about core behaviours, and by observations and direct assessment in a variety of different settings. Diagnosis should involve a number of different professionals who have specific skills in assessing children with suspected ASD and may involve home based observations, child health/paediatric, speech and language, cognitive and occupational therapy assessment. The National Autism Plan for Children NAPFront.PDF recommends that each area have a locally agreed pathway for assessment and diagnosis. Following diagnosis, families will benefit from access to information about ASD specific support groups and local multi-agency services.

View What is the cause? What is the cause?  |  How is it treated? View How is it treated?

Medical text written August 2006 by Dr C Dover, Specialist Registrar in Learning Disability Psychiatry, Dr C Grayson, Consultant Paediatrician and Professor A Le Couteur, Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

 

Tell us what you think of this information...

Print whole article Print whole article

 

This Web Site © Copyright, Contact a Family 2010
Contact a Family, 209-211 City Road, London EC1V 1JN
Tel: 020 7608 8700

Registered Charity No. 284912. Charity registered in Scotland No. SC039169
Company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales No. 1633333.
HM Revenue & Customs charity tax reference No. XN54769. VAT Reg. No. GB 749 3846 82

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.