Diagnosis of autism often occurs in early childhood, although it can be identified at any age. The diagnosis typically involves a comprehensive evaluation by healthcare professionals, including:
-
Developmental Screening: Initial screenings may assess a child’s development, usually conducted during routine check-ups.
-
Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation: This includes interviewing parents, observing the child, and administering specific standardized tests. This evaluation often involves a team of professionals, such as psychologists, neurologists, and speech therapists.
-
Clinical Criteria: The DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) lays out specific criteria that must be met for a diagnosis of autism. These include evidence of impaired social communication and the presence of restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour.