Autism Spectrum Disorder Part 1

Many children go undiagnosed with Autism. For many, it's not until adulthood that they are diagnosed. In tonight's story this young lady has never been diagnosed. Her mother confided in me about her childhood and current affairs. I am pretty positive that she has autism that went undiagnosed. She is currently in jail and still undiagnosed. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition that affect a person’s ability to socialize and communicate with others. Symptoms of autism can include impairments to social interaction & communication, and restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. If You’re Concerned As a parent, you already have what it takes to help your young child learn and grow. CDC has developed materials to help you track your child’s developmental milestones and share that progress, or any concerns, with your child’s doctor at every check-up. Learn more about CDC milestone checklists and other parent materials » https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/parents/index.html Contact your child’s doctor if you think your child might have ASD or if you have any other concerns about the way your child plays, learns, speaks, or acts. If you are still concerned, ask the doctor for a referral to a specialist who can do a more in-depth evaluation of your child. Specialists who can do a more in-depth evaluation and make a diagnosis include Developmental pediatricians (doctors who have special training in child development and children with special needs) Child neurologists (doctors who work on the brain, spine, and nerves) Child psychologists or psychiatrists (doctors who know about the human mind) At the same time, call your state’s public early childhood system to request a free evaluation, sometimes called a Child Find evaluation, to find out if your child qualifies for intervention services.  You do not need to wait for a doctor’s referral or a medical diagnosis to make this call. Where to call for a free evaluation from the state depends on your child’s age: If your child is not yet 3 years old, contact your local early intervention system.You can find the right contact information for your state by calling the Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA) at 919-962-2001. Or visit the ECTA website. external icon: https://ectacenter.org/contact/ptccoord.asp If your child is 3 years old or older, contact your local public school system.Even if your child is not yet old enough for kindergarten or enrolled in a public school, call your local elementary school or board of education and ask to speak with someone who can help you have your child evaluated. If you’re not sure who to contact, call the ECTA at 919-962-2001. Or visit the ECTA website. external icon Research shows that early intervention services can greatly improve a child’s development. In order to make sure your child reaches their full potential, it is very important to receive services as soon as possible.