 Autism can be diagnosed by a number of health professionals including developmental pediatricians, pediatric neurologists, pediatricians, and psychiatrists. Perhaps the most important factor in selecting an autism professional is choosing someone with experience in diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorders. This makes Developmental Pediatricians and Pediatric Neurologists good choices for seeking a diagnosis. Your location may also play a factor in finding someone to diagnose your child. Statistics indicate that children in urban areas tend to be diagnosed about 6 months earlier than children in rural areas. Six months can make a huge difference in the life of a child with autism. If you are firmly convinced that your child may have autism and are unable to find an experienced professional locally to see your child, you may want to consider travelling to a nearby city for an evaluation. In either case, look for a professional who has had lots of experience with ASDs. Your pediatrician should be able to refer you to someone, if not, you may be able to obtain a free evaluation or screening through your local school district or birth to three program.
|
