April is National Autism Awareness & Advocacy Month. In order to promote increased awareness, the Northern Colorado Assessment Center blogs in the month of April will focus on answering some of the questions we hear most often about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In this blog, we’ll focus on the role of screenings by healthcare providers and psychological assessments for children and adult in the diagnosis and resource planning process for neurodiverse individuals.
ASD Screening Recommendations
In most cases, people are first referred to visit us by a physician who notices some of the early indications of ASD during regular developmental screenings in infancy and childhood. Below, are the various recommended screenings for ASD by age:
Infant & Toddler Screenings
For infants younger than 24 months, the Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales (CSBS) may be recommended. This is a one-page parent-completed screening metric that asks caregivers to evaluate their child’s ability to interact with people verbally and non-verbally.
In the past, most clinicians have relied on the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (MCHAT) to screen older infants and toddlers. The MCHAT is a parent or caregiver completed questionnaire that identifies common developmental indicators associated with ASD. This is still a popular screening tool for toddlers, but many clinicians have transitioned to utilizing more in-depth screening tools like the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ). The ASQ is also a parent-completed questionnaire. It explores a range of developmental areas, including gross and fine motor skills, adaptive skills, communication skills, and problem-solving skills.
Childhood Screenings
The Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) screening tool is a quick and easy option for parents of infants, toddlers, and children up to the age of eight. Most parents can complete the PEDS screening questionnaire in less than five minutes. Finally, the Screening Tool for Autism in Toddlers and Young Children (STAT) is a screening tool that uses kid-friendly activities to observe a child performing tasks such as communication, imitation, and playing games.
Adult Screenings
There are currently no diagnostic screening tools that are specifically developed for adults. Instead, adults will typically bring ASD symptoms up to their physicians who will then ask some general questions about common indicators before determining whether ASD assessment could be beneficial. Check back later this month to read our blog about common indicators for ASD.
Comprehensive ASD Assessments
If physicians recognize signs of ASD during screenings, they may recommend infants, children, or adults to visit an assessment psychologist to receive a comprehensive assessment. There are many types of assessment tools available. At Northern Colorado Assessment Center, our clinicians utilize a comprehensive, personalized testing battery for ASD that often includes:
- Cognitive assessment
- Adaptive assessment
- Developmental assessment
- Behavioral assessment
- Emotional assessment
Our testing batteries are always customized to the individual’s situation, and we offer ASD testing for adults and children. Our goal is to help each person better understand their areas of strength and resilience as well as areas where they may benefit from additional resources and guidance.
Get Started with ASD Assessment Today
If you’re interested in learning more about ASD or the assessment process, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Northern Colorado Assessment Center team. We’re here to provide psychological assessment and testing, and we partner with individuals to find the right resources and support following assessment.
