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How Do Doctors Make
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Family medicine physicians and general pediatricians often notice early signs of autism and autism symptoms during well-child visits by conducting autism screening . These doctors then usually refer you to other physicians more experienced and knowledgeable in the diagnosis of autism.
Pediatric psychiatrists, pediatric neuropsychologist, pediatric neurologists, and developmental pediatricians are usually the most qualified to appropriately provide the diagnosis of autism. The experience and knowledge of the practitioner about autism is ultimately more important than their specific credentials.
These specialists conduct medical examinations and administer autism testing themselves. These tests help to guide the diagnostic process, but do not actually make a diagnosis.
They also consider evaluations from various other medical personnel, such as family medicine physicians, general pediatricians, occupational therapists , physical therapists, clinical psychologists, speech and language therapists as well as from teachers and you.
The DSM-IV is used by the specialist as a guide for categorizing the type of autism.
Some physicians prefer to monitor the development of your child over time so as not to make a hasty diagnosis and to label your child with a diagnosis of autism unnecessarily. Other physicians feel more comfortable making a diagnosis at the initial appointment.
Physicians often disagree about diagnosis for these types of autism because the definition of autism may be interpreted in various ways by different professionals. Fortunately, the treatment of autism is the same no matter which type of autism has been diagnosed.
In addition, other conditions and disorders may overlap with autism and complicate the diagnosis of autism. These conditions and disorders include Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Bipolar or Manic-Depressive Disorder, Depression , Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NVLD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Reactive Attachment Disorder, Schizophrenia, Social Phobia, and Tourette's Syndrome.
At this time, no specific autism test exists to conclusively categorize these disorders and diagnose your child. However, the Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratory can perform hair analysis for mercury and various other tests for endocrinology, immunology, nutritional, metabolic and gastrointestinal function.
Since autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder, your child should gradually improve with appropriate therapy to the point that he or she may no longer obviously meet the appropriate diagnostic criteria. Therefore, the physician should thoroughly investigate the behavioral and developmental history of your child over his entire lifetime.
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