The Start of Diagnosis
The first observation of the child’s behavior or any unusual character should always come from any relative close to the child, a parents perhaps or any guardians. The observation should always consider as unsure fact and not final. Who can diagnose autism? this is the question that should always kept in mind to have the right person to deal with the right procedure. The diagnosis starts in several different ways but definitely it begins with initial findings or diagnose of a pediatrician or general practitioner. It can be from the office of a mental health practitioner such as counselor, psychiatrist, social worker or psychologist. It is important to know that only a medical practitioner can obtain a medical diagnosis although a psychologist or neuropsychologist can also make a call on diagnosis procedure provided that the doctor has enough training in neurological differences.
Speech therapist, school counselor, teachers and other non-physician can have an initial observation or findings to an autistic person but only a medical doctor can officially make an appropriate diagnosis. Moreover, a diagnosis will be done by a team of specialist that are working together and their findings would be accompanied by the report detailing the treatments, suggestions or any other referrals.
The first person that will be needed to conduct an initial findings is the pediatrician of a child. Although in some ways, pediatricians are expert in the typical health problems of children like flu, pinworms, diaper rashes and other related illnesses.
The first line of defense
The pediatrician is the first line of defense of a child’s health and always be the primary care provider designated by the child’s parent. The responsibilities of the pediatrician are not only to know and secure the development of child’s health and growth but also making referrals to specialist as needed.
Most of the time, the pediatrician who happen to be the primary care provider of a child would always had a chance to see first any early signs of autism. If this situation occur, the pediatrician would guide the parents to the best medical treatment resources that are available. But before any referral can be made, the pediatrician must be sure that diagnosis from specialist is really required.
In consultation appointment with your child’s pediatrician when a parent ask for a written referral to specialist, it is through the best interest of the pediatrician to prove that a certain child needed further medical diagnosis. The pediatrician would listen to parent’s concerns, discuss any issue that the child has and after that recommendation of the second course of action may take place.
Most of the pediatrician would use the “Pediatric Symptom Checklist” one of the most commonly screening tools used. It’s a list of a total 35 questions that would determine psychiatric disorders in children. In order to convince the pediatrician to make a written referral, the child’s parent should have an evidence showing that the child is having more than one developmental problem and explaining how it is affecting the child’s life.
Importance of medical history and pediatrician
Accurate and detailed record are the most important thing that the parent can contribute. All possible notes about anything unusual that have observed. Patient and family medical history is likewise important. The parent should also ask to set a time table with the pediatrician when possible mentally impairment is possible . After several months if the expectation have not been met then a proper referral is recommended.
Referral to a doctor who specializes in treating the health problem of the children with developmental delays and at the same time is a pediatrician provides an option of a less expensive care. Referral to a developmental pediatrician is likely having extra money to spend. If all the concerns are acceptable, the developmental pediatrician can explain the reason or somehow in detail to the regular pediatrician.
The developmental pediatrician can provide information about the best resources available locally for full diagnosis and treatment. Developmental pediatrician are much more familiar with neurological problems, medications and current research in disabilities. They prepare to work closely with specialist, including neurologist. psychiatrists and therapist. Seeing developmental pediatrician would be much more recommended for continuing service care.
The School also can help
The Schools can also help to find a way to diagnose an autistic child. Most of the time would happen when a parent was approached by one of the concerned school personnel about their child’s autistic features. Some of the parents mostly doesn’t notice close enough when their child needed help. Schools take different approach than a medical practitioner. Their primary concern is how the problem can affect the child’s educational performance and not how to treat it.
However, the schools are required to provide or perform a special education evaluation at the request of the child’s parents. Then the parent should send a letter notifying district letting them know that their child would receive an assessment plan within 15 days of its receipt of the referral letter.
In most districts, evaluation are performed by a team, which may include a class room teacher, disability specialist, occupational therapist, speech and language pathologist or speech therapist. If the school requires a doctor’s evaluation then the district should pay for the diagnosis. The district may work closely with regional education centers, early intervention programs and child development program to perform evaluation.
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