Diagnosing Autism

Diagnosing Autism

Autism is usually diagnosed around the age of three when an abnormal development of the child is noticed. An early diagnose is essential for the future medical care as well as for the outcome of the parents. An initial diagnose of autism includes a physical evaluation and a neurological examination completed with a registry of the medical history of the child since birth and a medical history of the family. Clinical testing may also be helpful to classify the condition and rule out other assembling diseases.

Specialty physicians must carefully evaluate the mental and physical development of the child as well its communication and language skills. He must know if the patient has babbled, waved or grasp objects before the age of one year and other major signs during his development. Frequent office visits are necessary for the doctor to determine eventual response to treatment and one potential progress of the condition.

Similar conditions to autism are Rett disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, Asperger disorder, pervasive development disorder, hearing loss and metabolic disorders. Autism is most common encountered in males sometimes connected to the fragile X syndrome that causes mental retardation. A series of testing can be performed to rule out conditions with similar symptoms:

Blood tests are made to determine eventual disorders in the blood lipids or amino-acids and other metabolism-linked conditions. Genetic diseases are ruled out by DNA and chromosomal analyses. Hearing tests are used to rule out possible connections between language difficulties and deafness. An electroencephalogram would detect potential brain damages and a magnetic resonance imaging would detect eventual brain disorder.

The Asperger disorder assembling autism only appears in boys and develops progressive neurological damages after the first three years of life. Symptoms of Rett disorder are extraordinary memory and musical skills, the inability to interact with others, primitive language skills, lack of facial expressions and inability to express emotions.

Patients with the disintegrative disorder are characterized by the lack of bowel and bladder control and no language, motor or communication skills.

The Rett disorder produces microcephaly, inability to express feelings, lack of motor skills and is mostly encountered in girls. It develops during the first 18 months of life. Children suffering from the Rett disorder require medical treatment as they may experience weakness, cognitive regression, constipations and breathing problems.

Pervasive development disorder occurs between 2 and 12 years of age and produces a delay of social and communication skills.

For greater resources on Autism or especially about autism causes please click this link http://www.autism-info-center.com/autism-causes.htm

Watch the video related to Rett Syndrome

Reveral of Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder – Rett Syndrome

Help answer the question about Rett Syndrome

Need a starch & milk free nutritonal supplement for handicapped child, 9 yrs old with Rett syndrome?
Currently on Nutrin Jr. Along with the Rett Syndrome, comes a seizure disorder (no medication works, all so far have increased seizures). Alexis at 9 weighs 40 lbs, Rett girls have a problem gaining weight. Alexis does like food and does eat by mouth, but can't have milk products or too much starch or suger. Alexis is being tube fed (stomach) with the supplement (tube is new). The current supplement increase seizures. Also, if anyone knows nutritionist in suffolk county, ny that is "great", that would be a plus. Really need help. Thank you.

About Author

For greater resources on Autism or especially about autism causes please click this link http://www.autism-info-center.com/autism-causes.htm

2 Responses to “Diagnosing Autism”

  • mom says:

    There are some good informative answers here. I just want to add, as a special education behavioral teacher most kids with Autism do not have behavior problems. Their issues are more social , developmental, neurological possible dependeing on the severity. Some could have behavioral issues just as people with MR or even regualr kids with no disabilities but usually id they do it is in relation to another diagnosis that they just happen to have with Autism. I would suggest reading up more on the various diagnosis that are related to behavior issues. You will find that Autsim is not one of them…

  • Lauren says:

    hi,
    hope this can be help. i am the mother of an 8 yr old autistic boy and have struggled for him to eat since he was 15 mnths old. he was on nutrin jr, at first, but he can’t have dairy,or soy due to his GI issues.Ask your doctor about Neocate jr. it is made by Nutricia north America their # is 800-365-7354. Until recently my son would drink this shake I would make up for him with the Neocate,rice dream ice cream,and protein powder.he used to love it. I’m not sure how much starch the neocate has in it.Be sure to call your doctor first. Good luck.

Leave a Reply

?>