As one of the most misunderstood of all neurodevelopment disorders, autism is not always easy to diagnose. While you can learn how to diagnose autism from the standpoint of watching your child develop, a formal diagnosis is necessary from a doctor or specialist. At Camp Worth, we empower those with this diagnosis to find the support and skills they need to live a healthy life. If your child is showing signs of an autism spectrum disorder and you would like help learning to manage this condition, contact us today.
How to Diagnose Autism in Your Child
In every situation, it is best to work closely with your child’s doctor to understand any developmental delays he or she has. This will range widely from one child to the next. Yet, you may find key insight by simply learning what your child should be doing at any age. You may want to discuss autism with your child’s doctor if you notice:
- Limited communication or no communication by the age of 2
- Limited eye contact
- No instances of sharing information, such as pointing or waving
- Repeating of specific phrases over and over again
- Lack of knowing his or her name
- Regression of learned skills
If you notice these symptoms, even at a young age, it’s important to discuss them with your child’s doctor openly. Only a doctor can formally diagnose an autism spectrum disorder.
Getting a Formal Diagnosis
It’s also important to learn how to diagnose autism in a formal manner, which occurs with the help of your doctor or an autism specialist. This will include screenings, one-on-one interactions, and formal testing of your child’s communication and social skills. What is done is dependent on the child’s age.
What to Do After a Diagnosis
After a doctor tells you that your child has autism, you may feel very much overwhelmed and afraid of what that means for their future. The first step is to recognize that the outcome is not yet defined. That is, many children do see significant improvement and become capable of living long, healthy, and productive lives. It is possible to give them the resources they need to learn life skills they can use to create an independent life as an adult.
As your child gets older, it may be more important to move aggressively at teaching them these skills. This becomes more important as they get older, especially if they show signs of aggression. At Camp Worth, we have a specialized program designed to help your child to learn how to communicate, socialize, and live a productive life. We create a customized treatment plan designed to meet their unique needs.
There’s no way to know what the future holds for your child. Yet, with our tools and resources, we can give them an ability to thrive in their future in many cases. No matter your child’s current limitations, there may be help available to them. However, you don’t know for certain unless you reach out for assistance.
Learn More About How to Diagnose Autism
When you learn how to diagnosis autism and find out your child has this disorder, you may feel heartbroken and worried. It’s difficult to see past this moment into the future. At Camp Worth, we work with those ages 11 to 17 to provide them with important life skills, communication alternatives, and a supportive environment. We can help. We offer several programs that allow children and adolescents to thrive with autism. Furthermore, we also provide training for parents who want to engage more with their autistic child. To learn more about what we do, contact Camp Worth by calling 855.915.2545 today.
