Autism Testing

AUTISM DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES 

According to USA today on April 12, 2019, “New Jersey preschoolers have the highest rates of autism ever measured in the United States, a rate that has increased faster than in other states studied, researchers at Rutgers University reported Thursday. The rate of autism among children in the state has tripled in a generation.  

One in 35 children in New Jersey was diagnosed with autism by their fourth birthday, according to the study published Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Those children were more likely to have attracted the attention of pediatricians and early-childhood educators because of moderate to severe symptoms of autism. Still, more children are diagnosed with autism when they enter public schools.” 

“Early identification is crucial to helping families access services for these preschoolers, who need intensive treatment to learn developmentally appropriate skills and maximize their potential.” 

EARLY DETECTION AND DIAGNOSIS IS KEY IN OUTCOMES 

With the incidence of Autism increasing, wait lists to see a developmental pediatrician for medical diagnosis of Autism can be up to 1 year. For this reason, the authors of the most popularly used diagnostic tool has recognized the need for early diagnosis and has expanded its training and certification to other health care professionals, including Speech Language Pathologists. Monica is certified to administer the Autism Diagnostic Schedule, Second Edition, (ADOS-2). This is the assessment used by Developmental Pediatricians in Diagnosing Autism. The ADOS-2 accurately assesses and diagnoses autism spectrum disorders across age, developmental level, and language skills. 

The ADOS-2 is a semi-structured, standardized assessment of: 

• Communication 
• Social interaction 
• Play 
• Restricted and repetitive behaviors 

The assessment presents various activities that elicit behaviors directly related to a diagnosis of ASD.  By observing and coding these behaviors, you can obtain information that supports diagnosis, treatment planning, and educational placement.