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Assessment
All children need support to reach their potential. The first step in determining how best to help a child who is experiencing difficulties with communication, social interaction, or flexibility in responding to the world is to complete a comprehensive assessment and evaluation. Early assessment can lead to early intervention, which is critical for long-term success.
Parents often report feeling relieved once a comprehensive assessment has been completed because they ‘finally understand’ why their child has had difficulties in school, at home, or in the community. Parents will also have a better understanding of the next steps that they can take to help their child.
According to best practices guidelines, a comprehensive autism assessment is one that includes the following components:
- A detailed developmental history and review of records
- Evaluation of a child’s developmental, cognitive, adaptive, and behavioral functioning
- Direct observation of a child’s play, language, and social interaction
- A physical examination
This kind of evaluation should lead to a diagnosis and recommendations on how best to implement interventions in the home or school settings. A comprehensive diagnostic assessment should be completed by qualified professionals who have substantial experience serving children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
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