Disruptive school behavior can often be tied to other, more significant causes, and assessing a child with autism is an effective tool in beginning a treatment plan. There are certain assessments that can provide a diagnosis as early as the child’s second birthday, but these comprehensive assessments are more typically used with school-age children. Assessments are also of use when the clinical and educational teams want to measure the progress and effectiveness of certain treatment plans. If a student is suspected to have ASD, there are many characteristics that can provide further insight into their condition and if it is indeed autism-related.
Components of a Comprehensive Autism Assessment
- First, the clinician will review all previous history that the student has with both their medical and behavioral teams.
- A comprehensive medical evaluation which also includes a neuro-developmental component must also be conducted.
- Full hearing and visual tests are completed.
- The medical history of the student’s family, including their mental health, is reviewed.
- The student will undergo a language assessment as well as a speech assessment.
The above components reflect the baseline for assessments, and there are further steps that can be taken as necessary:
- Any child who presents with physical features that are related to a genetic disorder such as fragile X or tuberous sclerosis can receive a further genetic screening. The same is also true for students whose family has any history of an intellectual disability.
- When there is an instance of physical issues such as constant vomiting, seizures, or chronic lethargy, metabolic testing will be undertaken.
The assessment is an effective tool for providing a baseline that can then be used to monitor the student’s progress as their course of treatment unfolds and progresses. Such assessments can be difficult to undertake, especially in students with significant behavioral problems, and in such cases, the parents or medical team may need to be involved at a more granular level.
Proper assessments of children with autism and ASD are the first step in determining an effective educational and clinical plan to lessen the disruption that can occur in a school setting. Providing students with the most rigorous educational experience that is appropriate for their needs is the final goal of such testing and assessments. Disruptive behavior needs to be identified and managed in an appropriate manner while lessening the negative impact that it can have on the student’s peers.
Assessing a child with autism is a required first step when determining their school plan and needs to be undertaken with patience, focus, and clinical rigor. There are many assessments available today that provide greater insight into the student’s disorder as well as their ongoing educational and clinical needs.
