The following information is not intended to diagnose or treat. Please speak to
a qualified professional.
Blood Tests: There is no specific medical test for autism and you cannot screen for autism prenatally.
Regular Evaluation: All young children should be evaluated for developmental disorders on a regular basis during visits to family doctors.
Comprehensive Testing: If signs of ASD are suspected or the first screening shows a possibility of ASD, a comprehensive evaluation is usually recommended. Healthcare professionals use a specialized manual (the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-V, a guide created by the American Psychiatric Association) to diagnose mental and behavioral conditions, including autism.
Team: It requires a multidisciplinary team, including a psychologist, neurologist, psychiatrist, speech therapist, and other professionals who diagnose and treat children with ASD. The team members will conduct a thorough neurological assessment and in-depth cognitive and language testing.
Other Issues: Because hearing problems can cause behaviors that could be mistaken for ASD, children with delayed speech development should also have their hearing tested.
Self-Assessment Tests
There are some self-assessment tests that you can do. Please remember that these tests are not a substitute for a thorough medical evaluation by a professional:
20 question screening test: https://www.autismspeaks.org/screen-autism
3 minute screening test: https://www.psycom.net/child-autism-test
Learn more about living with autism spectrum
