Who diagnoses Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Autism can be diagnosed by any of the following professionals:
Developmental Pediatrician
Pediatric Neurologist
Child Psychiatrist
Child Psychologist
What are some of the characteristics of Autism?
Social Communication
Avoids eye contact or finds it uncomfortable
Does not or struggles to engage in social greetings
Struggles to connect in the same way that peers do
Difficulty reading nonverbal cues (e.g., person looking at their watch may need or want to leave)
Struggles to have a reciprocal conversation
Language & Communication
Initially began to talk but has since lost language
Use of Echolalia (repeating words and phrases you say word for word in the same tone)
Struggles to alter communication style to be different for children versus adults
May prefer to only talk about things they are interested in
Struggles to use pronouns accurately
May talk or mutter quietly to themselves with limited pronunciation
Sensory Differences
Enjoys hand flapping or rocking back and forth
Seeks repetitive movements and may seek unsafe movement (e.g., jumping on climbing on furniture frequently
Sensitivity to noises or lights
Sensitivity to textures of clothing or specific fabrics
Becomes very dysregulated or upset when routines or rules are changed
Looking at items very closely or from his or her peripheral vision
