Doctors, teachers, daycare providers and anyone else who has professional contacts with the child should be aware of the appropriate milestones that a child should have reached, and should periodically observe the child to see if they have reached these. Parent interviews are also used; parents should make sure to share any concerns about their child’s development with their health care providers.
Early Autism Screening
Several questionnaires have been developed that ask specific questions about specific milestones and can be used to screen for a risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). If the screening shows a risk for ASD, a referral to a psychologist or someone trained in diagnosing autism spectrum disorders is made. If a diagnosis is made, then you can start the process of finding therapy, signing up for special education classes at the school, and signing up for early intervention programs.
Feedback From Adults with Autism
Adults with autism spectrum disorders on an Internet message board were asked if they thought their life would have been better if they had been diagnosed earlier. Many said yes; they would have had more self-understanding of what they were good at and what they weren’t, and they would have received more appropriate therapies. User Greentea said,
"The huge difference would be that I wouldn’t have spent all my life’s earnings on therapies and all my life’s energies on trying to improve my relationships with people. Instead, I would’ve spent my resources on university studies, which I’m very good at and where I do thrive. I wouldn’t be a clerk now, one whose job depends on her social skills, I’d have more money and I’d enjoy the good things that life has to offer unrelated to human interaction. The way things are, at 46 I discover I’ve been an idiot for 46 years trying and trying to improve what cannot be improved on to start with, because it’s just not there. Oh yeah, after decades of investing everything in it, I offend people a tiny bit less.”
User Reodor Felgen speculates,
“I would have gotten help with my social skills from the start, and would have gotten help with organizing stuff. My grades would have been better, and my years as a teen would have been easier.”
Finally, user Kaytie agrees that she would have been better prepared for her life had she been diagnosed earlier, saying,
“I would have taken most of my bad experiences in stride. I wouldn’t have grown up immensely bitter with my parents and relatives. I would have understood that I was somehow different from my classmates and wouldn’t have been so angry all the time. I wouldn’t have expected so much from people, knowing they wouldn’t know how to deal with me. I could have learned skills right ahead instead of psyching myself into thinking that I could be bad because no one wants to be with me.”
It is clear, then, that early diagnosis can help not only those with classical autism, who need intervention so that they are able to speak and function in their world, but also their higher functioning counterparts with Asperger’s syndrome. Early diagnosis is important for everyone.
WCHS TV reported on a 5 year old girl named Sarah Beard.
“When you see five-year-old Sarah Beard today, you’d never guess this was her a year ago. Her life was filled with tantrums and rituals, methodically lining up toys and spinning in circles. She’d scream at her own birthday parties if anyone sang happy birthday. Today, that old Sarah is hard to find. Her mom, Colleen, says that early diagnosis changed her life.”
(http://www.wchstv.com/newsroom/healthyforlife/2289.shtml)
Catherine Lord, a psychologist at the University of Michigan, says that it used to be believed that up to 50% of autistic kids couldn’t speak; now, she says, that number is more like 14%.
Children with autism can be diagnosed earlier than ever. Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often can be reliably detected by age 3. In some cases even earlier than that. For more information on early autism diagnosis, read the article, At What Age Can Autism Spectrum Disorders Be Detected?
And for the most through understand of autism and how to help your child live a happy and successful life, see the book, The Autism Survival Guide, by Craig Kendall.
I enjoy and appreciate the information, anything to help my son and my own understanding of what life is like for Nicholas. It also helps me educate my son's teacher and EA which this process is ongoing and at times very frustrating.
My name is Matt Turner from Australia. I have a 6 y.o. with autism (fairly mild). I found your work insightful and helpful - my wife is a doctor and spent many hours wading through medical texts to no avail. Our son Finley Turner is a very bright, friendly, healthy, unconditionally loved boy who can lose it sometimes. The guide helped us understand what to do and it helps him as much as us. Thanks for the work and I have recommended you to other parents in similar situations.
I found your articles to be extremely helpful...I applaud you for sharing your story and helping others who are going through similar situations. Thank you for sharing your story.
I was pleasantly surprised by the consistency, and thoroughness of the topics. I think this is a valuable tool. I think this was a valuable tool for me because as a parent we all need a kick in the butt and stay on task, constantly fighting, updating and communicating with caregivers, teachers and finding tools for our children. Keep it up!
I definitely found your information helpful. My grandson was just diagnosed this summer. He is very smart and sweet. We will continue to be an advocate for him thanks to your information. I am including a picture of him. 
"Hi my son of 3 and a half years was diagnosed today, I had concerns so prior to his appointment I researched it and joined your newsletter. The information was so helpful and very supportive it was almost like having a counselor as I opened each email I felt like some one really understood my situation so thanks you so much for that, it's a very hard thing to accept and you do feel alone but with the letters I was given inspiration and hope that not everything was going to be doom and gloom it was and still is a lifeline.
"I have found the newsletters very valuable. I have forwarded them to teachers who work with Matthias when they apply."
I have been reading your Newsletter for a while now. Find attached a picture of my family. Joel is the little boy in glasses. Thanks for putting a smile on me. My knowledge and support is increasing. I feel more positive towards helping my son than ever.
I am Ben's grandmother and see him every single day. He is a joy. What your info does is help us to understand the melt downs that quite frankly we have always put down to the meds that he takes. We have proved your theory of a strict regime for Ben. Each letter adds to our knowledge. Keep it up dear friend. We learn from you every day and will I am sure continue to learn. God Bless you.
May 16, 2011
Children, Diagnosis