- 1). Know the warning signs. Signs of autism include a toddler's refusal or inability to make eye contact. The toddler may shun any signs or displays of affection. Another warning sign is the inability to point at objects when you ask, "Where is the light?" or "Is this the toy you want?" Frequent tantrums at inappropriate times are symptomatic of autism. Many parents notice that their toddler isn't babbling or learning new words. If your child is having problems with verbal communication, you should note that it is a telltale sign of autism.
- 2). Administer the Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (CHAT). This test is administered by your child's pediatrician. It is a preliminary test that will determine whether or not your child should be sent to a psychologist for further evaluation. It takes only about five minutes and is given to toddlers at around the age of 18 months. There are several markers in this test that indicate developmental delays and autism.
- 3). Have the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) completed for your child. This test will be done in the office of a licensed professional. It contains 5 diagnostic domains and 15 questions. Some of the domains assessed include adaptiveness to change, verbal responses/communication and relating to others. After the examiner has reviewed previous doctors' reports, interviewed the parents and observed the child, he or she will answer these questions. A CARS score will then be computed to determine if the child is normal, mildly autistic, or severely autistic.
- 4). Request a Bayley Scales test. This test is age-sensitive and can only be administered by a trained psychologist, not by your pediatrician. Motor skills, mental agility and behavior are assessed in the 3 domains of the Bayley Scales. This test has been administered to thousands of normal children to create a scale and criteria for diagnosing developmental delays. The test will conclude if your child shows problems in the areas of language development, memory, motor skills, muscle control, etc.
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