Primary Health Care Providers often use a screening tool called CHAT (Checklist for Autism in Toddlers) between 18 and 24 months. It aims to identify children at high risk of social-communication disorders such as autism. Some parents find it helpful to fill out the questionnaire and talk it though with their Health Visitor or GP.
It is unusual for Health Professionals to diagnose autism before the age of two years, although many parents report they have seen signs long before this. One large UK study gave the average age of diagnosis as over 5 years old.1
Many parents worry about their children being labelled and that label perhaps causing issues for them in the future. Whilst it is understandable that families may be concerned, nevertheless, all the research shows early intervention is likely to produce the best outcomes for children with autism.
“There is nothing as ongoing and heartbreaking as having to push to get a doctor to tell you the news you do not want to hear”. This is what Federay, the mother of Pascal, the child in the video on the Peach homepage, said about getting a diagnosis. Her experience was fairly typical.
Obtaining a Diagnosis
The National Autism Plan for Children (NAPC) produced by the National Initiative for Autism Screening and Assessment gives clear guidance in relation to the identification assessment and diagnosis of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. You can download a summary opposite.
The National Autistic Society can provide you with a list of diagnostic centres in your area.
At the time of writing the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) is consulting on new guidelines for diagnosing autism.
If you have any concerns about your child, you should talk to your GP in the first instance.
It can sometimes help to talk to another parent who has faced the same issues. If you call the Peach helpline on 01344 882248 Peach can organise for you to speak to a parent in your area.
1. Howlin P. and Asgharian A. (1999). The diagnosis of autism and asperger syndrome: findings from a survey of 770 families, Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 1999, 41, pp834-839
the average age at diagnosis of children with
classic autism as 5.5 and 11 for children with
Asperger syndrome.10
