Noticing that your child might be developing differently can cause a lot of stress for parents, and you’ll be experiencing many emotions as you work to figure out the best course of action going forward.
While you’ve likely heard a lot of negative things about Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), it isn’t a disorder in the traditional sense. There are many positives to take from a diagnosis, and while there will be challenges ahead, having an autistic child can also be a blessing.
However, in the beginning, it’s difficult to think straight, so in this article, you’ll learn what to do if you suspect your child has autism in just a few simple steps.
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Step One: Documenting Your Concerns
Before you attempt to receive a formal diagnosis, it can help to simply observe first and note down what you see. This can benefit you once you’re in the consultation room, as you’ll have a list to refer to which you and the doctor can piece together for a clearer picture.
Many symptoms signal a child may be autistic, such as an inability to maintain eye contact, nervous tics, difficulties communicating, and more. Be as detailed as you can with your note-taking and separate things into categories to try to build an idea of where your child is struggling most.
Video recordings can also be a helpful aid, as they’re a great talking point so that you can further articulate what you’re seeing daily.
Step Two: The Importance of Self-Education
When you go for your formal consultation with a doctor for a possible diagnosis, they’ll hit you with a lot of information at once. It’s understandably a stressful time, and while the doctor will do their best to communicate the important aspects efficiently, it can be very difficult to retain information with your mind racing.
Do your best to educate yourself beforehand. There are many videos on YouTube which can introduce you to the basic topics, and you could also use an online autism test to gain a deeper understanding of the common symptoms.
Step Three: Consulting With a Professional
Several different types of professionals can assist in helping you reach a conclusion, but usually, it starts with a visit to your GP. They’ll take a full medical history, afterwhich its your time to explain what’s been going on.
Try to take things slowly – there’s no rush, and the doctor will lead with their questions. They will likely recommend developmental screening and a referral to a specialist.
If they don’t offer you anything, remember that you can get a second opinion. Don’t simply assume it’s a lost cause because one doctor hasn’t been helpful.
Step Four: The Formal Evaluation Stage
The formal evaluation stage is the point at which a full assessment and a series of non-invasive tests are performed by a developmental psychologist or neurologist to determine your child’s diagnosis. Speech and language, as well as motor skills, will be evaluated, as will social communication and general temperament.
The process can take a long time, and there’s sometimes a significant waiting list, but the final diagnosis is your key to more help, so do your best to be patient.
Step Five: Accessing Support In The Long-Term
If your child does get diagnosed with autism, know that there is plenty of help available.
What’s on offer will depend on your child’s age and what specific struggles they’re likely to face in the years ahead. For example, occupational therapy may be offered to help you acclimatise at home, or if you’re facing a lot of tantrums, behavioural therapy might be suggested.
Doctors and therapists are well aware that dealing with autism is a lifelong commitment, whether that be mitigating the negative elements or nurturing the positive aspects. Remember that treatment is as much about building your child up as it is solving problems.
It’s also important to understand that you and your family may also need separate help. Family counselling can be of great aid, as can dedicated one-on-one talking therapies to give you the tools to manage your own mental health. Unfortunately, many parents spend so much time trying to support their children that they forget about themselves, so keep this in mind.
Wrapping Up
Hopefully, you now feel a little clearer on the process of receiving a diagnosis and supporting your child’s future. The stress surrounding the situation won’t always be this high, so just take things one step at a time, and you’ll get through it. Good luck!