#BLOOD TEST FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER SERIES#

The help and support that may be offered includes: The types of treatments offered will depend on the needs of each individual autistic person. They might be speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and educational psychologists. Most children with ASD are under the care of a child specialist. Specialist education and support aim to help with language, social skills and communication skills. How is ASD treated and managed? Children with ASD These do not test for an ASD but help to look for and rule out other conditions that may seem similar. Their observations decide whether your child has an ASD.īlood tests may be taken. They will observe your child over a period of time before making a decision about the diagnosis. This team will normally be made up of several different types of health professional. If they are concerned about ASD they may ask a specialist team to observe your child.

Sometimes hearing problems can make it difficult for a child to be sociable. They may want your child to have a hearing test. Your health visitor or doctor may then ask you a few questions and watch your child. If you have noticed, for instance, that your child doesn't always look at you, or doesn't point to show you things, or doesn't wave or clap - you should mention it. At these checks you will be asked if you have any concerns.

#BLOOD TEST FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER SERIES#

How are autistic spectrum disorders diagnosed?Īll children have a series of child health checks to ensure they are developing normally. ASD is more commonly diagnosed in boys but this may be mainly because autism is often harder to spot in girls and so girls with autism are more often not diagnosed and therefore overlooked. Persistent and recurrent problems in obtaining or sustaining employment or education.Īround one in 100 children have ASD.Finding it hard to make friends or preferring to be on their own.Being very sensitive to patterns, smells or sounds.

Wanting to plan everything very carefully. Having the same routine every day and feeling unable to cope with any change.

Rigid and repetitive behaviours, resistance to change, or restricted interests.

Persistent difficulties in social communication, such as finding it hard to say how they feel, finding it hard to understand what others are thinking or feeling, seeming to be blunt, rude or not interested in others.

Getting too close to other people, or getting very upset if someone touches or gets too close to them.

Persistent difficulties in social interaction, getting very anxious about social situations, avoiding eye contact, and talking over people.

Seizures usually happen in children who are severely affected by autism spectrum disorders.įor adults, the diagnosis of ASD can be difficult but should be considered when a person has: This usually happens for the first time around puberty. Seizures (epilepsy) occur in around 3 in 10 cases. Parents often find these problems very confusing and may become frustrated as they can heavily affect their daily lives. Autistic children may have extreme food fads.

Excessive reactions, such as to taste, smell, texture or the appearance of food.

Unusual or restricted interests and/or rigid and repetitive behaviours.

Becoming upset if routines are changed.

Therefore games and activities may remain exactly the same every day. Games and activities tend to be repeated over and over again (repetitive behaviours).

Ideas and imagination, reduced imagination and variety of play.

Pointing and other gestures, such as using pointing at or showing objects to share an interest.

Autistic children may seem to be aloof, have little or no interest in other people, resulting in having no real friends, and prefer being alone.

Difficulties responding to others, such as avoiding eye contact, not responding when their name is called, or not responding to other people's facial expressions or feelings.

Autistic children may not be able to express themselves well, may repeat or echo words that they hear back to you, time and time again (this is called echolalia), and may tend to always take words and phrases literally, even when words and phrases are not meant to be taken literally.

Difficulties with spoken language, such as language delay or limited use of language.

Some autistic people have minimal symptoms whereas others may have severe difficulties.įor children, the signs that indicate the possibility of ASD include: Some children are only diagnosed after they have started school, and, but very rarely, not until they become adults. Half of parents become concerned in the first 12 months and seek early intervention. Autistic spectrum disorders usually become apparent in the first three years of life.

Blood test for autism spectrum disorder