Key takeaways:
According to a study published by JAMA, there was a 175% increase in the number of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) diagnoses among children and adults from 2011 to 2022.
An important word there is ‘diagnoses’; this finding does not necessarily mean that autism spectrum disorder itself is on the rise.
It could also mean that more and more individuals with ASD have been getting diagnosed. This includes people who went through their childhood undiagnosed, and sought a diagnosis later in life.
It is quite common for autism spectrum disorder to go undiagnosed; one study reported it happening in one out of four teens. The fact that the disorder is a spectrum, meaning it has a wide range of presentations, can make diagnosis difficult. Milder cases of autism can also be mistaken for simple social awkwardness.
If you suspect that your child may have ASD, here’s what you may expect when it comes to seeking a diagnosis.
ASD can impact one’s life in a wide variety of ways.
Depending on its severity, ASD can make it difficult to make and maintain interpersonal relationships, attend to their responsibilities, and cope with sensory stimuli.
A child with ASD may struggle to make and keep friends, or do well at school. An adult with ASD may find it difficult to hold a job, build social and romantic relationships.
Without a diagnosis, the person may not realise that their difficulties have a neurological cause, and may instead perceive them as personality flaws. This can lead to poor self-esteem and a negative outlook.
An ASD diagnosis can be helpful for self-acceptance and self-understanding. It can also lead to the child or adult having the guidance, resources, and support system that they need to live fulfilling, independent lives.
In Australia, getting an ASD diagnosis for a child is a multi-step and multidisciplinary process. The Australian National Guideline for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism lists the following steps:
As the child’s parent or caregiver, your first step should be the child’s paediatrician, or your family GP or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner. They will initiate the referral for the series of tests required.
The next step is the Clinical Needs Assessment, which comprises two parts: an Assessment of Functioning and a Medical Evaluation.
Assessment of Functioning
In this part of the assessment, your child’s characteristics and skills in various areas of life are taken into account. The health professionals will study the way your child communicates, thinks, and performs tasks.
They will also ask questions to get a better picture of the child’s environment.
Your child’s ability in areas such as communication and following directions will be assessed during this step.
Medical Evaluation
The clinician will study your child’s medical history and perform a physical evaluation. In some cases, they may also perform or request for other tests. This will help rule out any other medical conditions that may be causing, or contributing to, your child’s difficulties or symptoms.
If the results of the comprehensive needs assessment are consistent with the criteria for autism, the next step is a diagnostic evaluation, typically performed by a psychologist or psychiatrist.
This evaluation can be done in one or two ways, depending on the level of diagnostic confidence:
Lead Practitioner Diagnostic Evaluation — In cases where there is sufficient evidence indicating autism and ruling out or confirming other conditions, a lead practitioner may perform the diagnostic evaluation.
Consensus Team Diagnostic Evaluation — In more complex cases where the client has a complex history or clinical presentation, a team of specialists may need to arrive at a diagnosis together.
Your next steps after diagnosis will depend on the severity of your child’s symptoms and their support needs.
ASD presentations can range from mild (finding it difficult to interact socially, and showing highly focused special interests) to severe (being nonverbal, being easily distressed by common sensory stimuli). Your child’s needs should guide your next steps.
For example, you may consider enrolling your child in a specialist school that caters to children with additional educational needs, if a mainstream school does not provide the adequate level of support they need.
Another option is to work with a paediatric occupational therapist. The paediatric OT can be instrumental for your child’s development in a multitude of ways, including:
Children with ASD may be distressed by everyday sensory stimuli like noise. A paediatric occupational therapist can help with sensory processing.
Our highly qualified paediatrics OTs are here to provide science-based, holistic, and personalised support for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
Our paediatrics OTs take into account the individual child’s strengths, needs, and unique personality, and will collaborate with the child’s guardians and other health professionals to create the most suitable therapy plan.
Call us at 02 8804 4000 or leave us a message through this form to learn more. Our friendly occupational therapy team will be happy to answer your questions.