Autism Diagnosis: How Do I Know If My Child Has Autism?
- Seth Walker
- Sep 16, 2024
- 5 min read
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that affects communication, behavior, and social interaction.
As a parent, recognizing the signs of autism in your child can be challenging if you don't know what to look for, especially since every child with autism presents differently. (They call it a "spectrum" for a reason!)
Autism symptoms may also vary depending on age. For example, there's no need to be alarmed if you suspect your child is non-verbal if they are only 15 months old and it is developmentally appropriate for them to not speak yet.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), provides specific criteria for diagnosing autism, which can help guide your understanding of the signs and symptoms to look out for. Here's a breakdown of the DSM-5 criteria, along with examples of behaviors parents might notice in their children.
1. "Persistent Deficits in Social Communication and Social Interaction"
According to the DSM-5, children with autism often have challenges in social communication and interaction across multiple contexts. This criterion includes difficulties in three specific areas:
- Social-emotional reciprocity.
This refers to challenges in back-and-forth communication. A child may:
Not respond to their name being called.
Avoid eye contact.
Show little interest in sharing emotions or engaging in simple social games like peek-a-boo.
They might also struggle to initiate or respond to social interactions, such as not asking about another person’s day or failing to understand conversational cues like turn-taking.
- Nonverbal communication behaviors.
Children with autism may have difficulty using or understanding nonverbal communication, such as gestures, facial expressions, or body language. A child may not smile back when smiled at, or they may not understand when someone is upset or happy based on their facial expressions. They might use fewer gestures or have unusual ways of expressing themselves, like pointing with their entire hand or using objects in unconventional ways.
- Developing, maintaining, and understanding relationships.
This involves difficulties in adjusting behavior to fit different social contexts, making friends, or engaging in imaginative play. A child with autism might:
Prefer to play alone.
Have trouble understanding social rules, such as sharing, taking turns, or waiting for their turn.
Find it hard to understand how to relate to peers or may come across as being too blunt or unaware of social norms.
2. "Restricted, Repetitive Patterns of Behavior, Interests, or Activities"
The DSM-5 also requires that a diagnosis of autism includes restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities, as demonstrated by at least two of the following:
- Stereotyped or repetitive motor movements, use of objects, or speech.
Repetitive behaviors (also referred to as "stims" or "stimming") can be a strong indication of autism. These behaviors may include:
hand-flapping
rocking
spinning objects
spinning around in a circle
lining up toys
A child may repeat certain phrases or sounds (echolalia) or insist on using the same route to school every day.
"Repetitive" is a key word here. Most children do these behaviors, but when a child does them over and over again, it may be an indication of autism.
- Insistence on sameness, inflexible adherence to routines, or ritualized patterns of verbal or nonverbal behavior.
Does your child have a difficult time when their regular schedule changes? Or maybe they become extremely upset by small changes in their environment or routine. This could look like a different cup to drink from, or a change in the order of their daily activities. They might have specific, non-functional routines that they insist on following, like tapping a doorframe a certain number of times before entering a room.
- Highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus.
This may include an intense preoccupation with certain objects (like spinning wheels or parts of toys) or topics (such as a specific animal, historical event, or TV show). These are commonly referred to as hyper-fixations, or "special interests." The child may have difficulty talking about anything else or may exhibit an encyclopedic knowledge about their preferred topic.
- Hyper- or hyporeactivity to sensory input or unusual interests in sensory aspects of the environment.
Some children with autism may be overly sensitive to sensory stimuli, such as bright lights, loud noises, or certain textures. Others may seek out sensory input, such as staring at spinning objects, feeling different textures, or smelling objects. They may also show an unusual reaction to sensory experiences, like a fascination with the way light reflects off objects or an aversion to specific sounds.
3. "Symptoms Must Be Present in the Early Developmental Period"
To meet the DSM-5 criteria, the symptoms must be apparent in early childhood, even if they are not fully recognized until later when social demands exceed the child’s abilities. For instance, a toddler may not engage in typical social play or may not develop language skills as expected. However, some signs might become more evident as they grow older and face more complex social situations.
4. "Symptoms Cause Clinically Significant Impairment"
The symptoms must cause significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of current functioning. For example, a child might have difficulty making friends, participating in school activities, or engaging in everyday conversations. This can affect their ability to function independently or progress in typical childhood milestones.
5. "Symptoms Are Not Better Explained by Another Condition"
Finally, the DSM-5 criteria state that these symptoms should not be better explained by another condition, such as intellectual disability or global developmental delay. Autism can co-occur with other conditions, but the social communication challenges and restricted, repetitive behaviors should be distinctive to autism.
Recognizing These Behaviors? What Should You Do Next?
If you notice some of these behaviors in your child, it's essential to seek a professional evaluation. Early diagnosis and intervention can significantly improve outcomes for children with autism. Contact us at 360 Autism Evaluations to talk with a professional.
Understanding the signs and criteria for autism can be overwhelming, but it's an essential first step in getting your child the support they need. If you have concerns, don't hesitate to reach out to a healthcare provider or autism specialist for guidance.
Resources:
Remember, you are not alone, and there are many resources and communities ready to support you and your child on this journey.
*This blog post is intended for informational purposes only and is not a tool for diagnosis. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex condition that requires a professional evaluation by a qualified healthcare provider, such as a pediatrician, psychologist, or specialist in developmental disorders. You cannot diagnose yourself or your child based solely on the behaviors or criteria listed here. Just because you recognize some of these behaviors does not necessarily mean you or your child will receive an autism diagnosis. If you have concerns or questions about your child’s development or suspect that your child may have autism, we encourage you to consult with a healthcare professional who can provide an appropriate assessment and guidance based on their expertise.
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