How Is Autism Diagnosed? Understanding the Process


Hope you are at best of health and faith.


Getting an autism diagnosis can be overwhelming, but understanding the process helps parents take confident, informed steps. Autism cannot be confirmed through a blood test or scan—it requires observational assessments, developmental history, and professional evaluation.


Who Can Diagnose Autism?


Developmental Pediatricians


Child Psychologists or Psychiatrists


Pediatric Neurologists


In some cases, Speech and Occupational Therapists may contribute to evaluations



Steps in the Diagnosis Process:


1. Initial Concern

Parents, teachers, or caregivers notice developmental delays or unusual behaviors (e.g., not speaking, lack of social interaction).



2. Developmental Screening

At routine checkups or if concerns arise, pediatricians may use tools like the M-CHAT-R/F (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers) to assess risk.



3. Comprehensive Evaluation

If screening indicates risk, a team of specialists will conduct a detailed assessment:


Observation of behavior


Parent interviews


Interaction-based tasks with the child




4. Standardized Tools Used

Some widely used assessment tools:


ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule)


CARS (Childhood Autism Rating Scale)


Vanderbilt or Conners Rating Scales for co-existing ADHD




5. Diagnosis Report

After evaluation, a report is provided with the diagnosis, severity level, and recommendations for therapy and educational planning.




Real-Life Insight


Fatima, a 3-year-old from Multan, wasn't speaking and avoided interaction. Her mother feared something was wrong but didn’t know where to start. A pediatrician referred her to a developmental psychologist, who performed M-CHAT screening and recommended a full ADOS assessment. The early diagnosis led to immediate therapy, and Fatima made strong progress in just 6 months.


In our next post, we’ll discuss what parents should do after diagnosis—how to accept the reality, begin therapy, and create a support system.



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آٹزم کی تشخیص کیسے کی جاتی ہے؟ ایک مکمل جائزہ


تشخیص کا مرحلہ والدین کے لیے الجھن بھرا ہو سکتا ہے، لیکن اگر اس عمل کو سمجھا جائے تو صحیح فیصلے لینا آسان ہو جاتا ہے۔ آٹزم کی تصدیق کسی خون کے ٹیسٹ یا اسکین سے نہیں ہوتی—بلکہ مشاہدہ، بچے کی نشوونما کی تاریخ، اور ماہرین کے تجزیے سے کی جاتی ہے۔


کون آٹزم کی تشخیص کر سکتا ہے؟


ڈیولپمنٹل پیڈیاٹریشنز


چائلڈ سائیکالوجسٹ یا سائیکاٹرسٹ


پیڈیاٹرک نیورولوجسٹ


اسپیش اور اوکیوپیشنل تھراپسٹ بھی معاون کردار ادا کر سکتے ہیں



تشخیص کے مراحل:


1. پہلا شبہ

والدین، اساتذہ یا نگران بچے کے بولنے، سیکھنے یا رویے میں تاخیر محسوس کرتے ہیں۔



2. ابتدائی اسکریننگ

چیک اپ کے دوران یا خدشات کی بنیاد پر ڈاکٹر M-CHAT جیسے ٹولز استعمال کرتے ہیں۔



3. مکمل تجزیہ (Evaluation)

اگر خطرہ ہو تو ایک ماہرین کی ٹیم مندرجہ ذیل طریقے استعمال کرتی ہے:


بچے کے رویے کا مشاہدہ


والدین سے تفصیلی انٹرویو


بچے کے ساتھ انٹریکشن پر مبنی سرگرمیاں




4. استعمال ہونے والے ٹولز:


ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule)


CARS (Childhood Autism Rating Scale)


Vanderbilt یا Conners Scales (اگر ADHD کا شبہ ہو)




5. تشخیصی رپورٹ

آخر میں مکمل رپورٹ دی جاتی ہے، جس میں آٹزم کی شدت، علامات، اور تجویز کردہ علاج شامل ہوتا ہے۔




حقیقی مثال


ملتان کی 3 سالہ فاطمہ بول نہیں رہی تھی اور دوسروں سے رابطہ نہیں کرتی تھی۔ والدہ کو شک تھا، مگر کیا کریں سمجھ نہیں آ رہا تھا۔ ڈاکٹر نے ڈیولپمنٹل ماہر کے پاس بھیجا، جنہوں نے M-CHAT سے اسکریننگ کی اور پھر مکمل ADOS تشخیص کروائی۔ بروقت شناخت کی وجہ سے فاطمہ نے صرف 6 مہینے میں نمایاں بہتری دکھائی۔


اگلی پوسٹ میں ہم بات کریں گے: تشخیص کے بعد والدین کیا کریں؟—حقیقت کو قبول کرنے، تھراپی شروع کرنے اور ایک سپورٹ سسٹم بنانے کے عملی اقدامات۔


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