When should I request an ASD assessment?

Identifying the first signs

For a large majority of children, the 18- and 24-month follow-up appointments with the family doctor or pediatrician are often when one begins to watch certain signs more closely. In some cases, the signs will instead be observed in a social context, such as at daycare or even when starting school.

However, one must be careful and not jump to conclusions too quickly. An isolated sign does not constitute proof that our child is on the autism spectrum.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a combination of different signs that affect three main areas of a child’s life: social interactions, communication, and behaviors and interests. These signs must be present early in the child’s development before they are considered concerning. During the evaluation, the professional will assess the quality of social interactions, communication skills, and behaviors rather than their quantity.

The evaluation process

Once an ASD hypothesis is considered significant enough by a parent, a family doctor, an educator, or a teacher, the next step is to request an ASD evaluation at a clinic that provides the service.

Aware of the long delays and endless waiting lists for this type of service, at Familio we carry out what we call a pre-analysis. Quick, this appointment makes it possible to assess the relevance of an ASD evaluation for the child or adult and thus ease waiting lists. Some will be directed to the ASD evaluation itself, but others may be redirected to another expert because the signs observed during the pre-evaluation rather suggest a diagnosis other than ASD. Indeed, some conditions, such as severe ADHD or giftedness, present behaviors common to ASD. In other cases, the signs shown by the child are more indicative of a hearing, sensory, or language disorder, for example.

Once the evaluation process is underway, the child or adult being assessed will, among other things, undergo the ADOS assessment, a key component of the overall ASD diagnosis. The results of this assessment are reviewed and analyzed by a second professional. Combining the two evaluations determines the final result. In some cases, a parallel evaluation will be requested (in speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, medical investigations, or other) so that professionals have all the elements on hand to create the most complete profile of the child.

The Familio approach

At Familio, each case is undertaken from the outset by at least two professionals who conduct the evaluation by gathering the materials already available and the input of other people involved in the child’s life or around the adult (previous neuropsychologist reports, the school, occupational therapists, etc.).

Over the years, the autism spectrum has broadened considerably. We understand it better and detect it earlier. Combined with the increasing number of professionals specializing in this field, this helps explain the notable rise in diagnosed cases in recent years.

The diagnosis, which can at first feel like a loss to be mourned, very often also comes with great relief. It enables parents to better understand their children and to support them with new resources and tools. If you have doubts about yourself or your child, do not hesitate to talk about it with your doctor or to seek the help of a professional.We are here to help you.