Who Can Diagnose Autism?

The Autism Education Network recommends a multidisciplinary assessment that includes famSily members and a pediatric neurologist, developmental pediatrician, child psychiatrist or psychologist specializing in diagnosing autism, or licensed professional that can medically diagnosis autism. Since communication is always affected to some degree, it is important to include a communication assessment from a certified speech language pathologist. Many individuals with autism also have behavioral difficulties of some kind and therefore it is equally important to have a behaviora

l therapist conduct an evaluation and assessment. If the individual seems to be exhibiting sensory processing difficulties, it would be appropriate to have an assessment performed by a qualified professional like an occupational therapist or physical therapist.

Remember that there is no medical test for autism. An accurate diagnosis is based on an observation of specific behavioral characteristics across a variety of environments/situations and a comprehensive history of early development. The diagnostic criteria for autism is found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual DSM–IV (PDF) of the American Psychiatric Association.