There is no clear medical test to diagnose the disorder, and neither a blood test nor a brain scan can be conclusive evidence for autism spectrum disorder. Although researchers are actively trying to develop such tests and diagnostic scales. Currently, doctors/clinicians in the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder depend on observing the child’s behavior to determine the presence of the basic symptoms of autism: communication difficulties, lack of social interaction, and repetitive and restrictive behaviours.
Screening test for risk of autism spectrum disorder
(M-CHAT) Children’s Autism Checklist Test
(from 16 to 30 months old) is a test to detect and identify children who are at risk of developing autism spectrum disorder, the method is during the regular medical examination appointments of the child at the age of 18 and 24 months parents are given a list test (autism questionnaire in children) and they are asked to answer To 20 “yes or no” questions about the child’s social, motor and language skills. Based on the test result, doctors/clinical professionals use diagnostic tools to determine whether or not a child has ASD.
Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder
Doctors/clinical professionals use two types of reliable behavioral tests to diagnose autism spectrum disorder:
- (ADOS) Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule: Doctors/clinicians observe children’s behavior and how they integrate and interact in different social situations for up to an hour.
- (ADI-R) Diagnostic Interview for Autism: It is conducted through the parental interview.
