Daniela Alvarez

ISM- Period 7

Augustyn , Marilyn. Autism Spectrum Disorder: Diagnosis . Edited by Marc C Patterson et

al. UpToDate, WoltersKluwer , 21 Nov. 2016, www.uptodate.com.

Evaluation entails; patient history, physical examination, neurological examination,

social assessment, language, cognitive development.
As well as a teacher evaluation.
The objectives of this evaluation is to give a definitive diagnosis, and exclude other
conditions that would present similar symptoms.
The patient should be referred for a comprehensive specialty evaluation.
This could cause significant delay in diagnosis.
The pediatrician should help the parents by suggesting several exercises that can be
made available for the child to start progressing.
These can vary depending on what the child needs most help with.
For example, if the child has a difficult temperament than a temperament scale can be in
placed to control behavior.
If the childs parents are concerned with socialization than the child should go to a
supervised community group.
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder should have a history of several things such as
parents concern regarding hearing, vision and speech. Being interested in a particular
part of a toy for a long period of time.
The doctor should also check the family history and see if they have any three
generation family history of language delay, Autism Spectrum Disorder, intellectual
disability, anxiety and several other diseases.
There should also be a psychosocial history where it should be noted if the family has
any recent trauma.
There should be a lengthy and careful examination on those with Autism Spectrum
Disorder.
There is certain feature unique to those with ASD, such as a bigger head circumference,
they are also more predisposed for hemartomatous tumor syndrome.
Other features include long face, large ears, and large testes.
An Ancillary testing should be conducted to rule out other disorders that would cause
similar symptoms.
It is very important to continually check up on children with ASD since they can have
fast changes in short periods of time.
Most of the diagnosing criteria will come from the DSM-5
There are certain characteristics identified and the patients must meet at least two of
them.

This source is very in-depth and up dated information about Autism Spectrum Disorder and its
diagnosis, it goes over everything that should be reviewed when diagnosing a child with autism.
 Daniela Alvarez
ISM- Period 7

Augustyn , Marilyn. Autism Spectrum Disorder: Clinical Features . Edited by Marc C Patterson et al.

UpToDate, WoltersKluwer , 8 Mar. 2017, www.uptodate.com.

The DSM 5 does not have a cut off for diagnosis, while the International Classification
Disease 10th revision has an age cut off of 3 years old.
The symptoms of ASD are more commonly seen during the second year of life. Yet in
some cases symptoms will present earlier.
Those with less severe form of ASD may not even present symptoms up to the sixth year
of life.
Stressors in the life of the patient such as a new baby in the family, may cause regression.
This is another reason for there to be a delay in diagnosis.
ASD patients will not want to communicate with others, they will not have the same
social skills.
They also lack empathy and are not really aware of their surrounding and other children
around.
Toddlers usually try to share interest with their parents. They will not really want to share
enjoyment or achievements with them.
They have trouble understanding body language and have trouble keeping eye contact.
As a child the patient might resist affection from parent such as cuddling.
Younger years have little interest in friendship and socialization.
Children with ASD also tend to be hyperactive, have awkward body movement, and have
repeated patterns. Will often focus on one object, or part of toy, for a long time.
They may experience a temperament from time to time, they are very persistent.
Will focus on one thing and will keep persisting.
They are very persistence with items with sensory. Will sometime appear to not be
affected by pain.
Many children with ASD will be very smart and intellectually advanced.
Might have a specific skill such as music, art or calendar counting.
Medication can help with regression of symptoms, but will not cure the disorder.
Children with ASD will have from 37 to 95 percent problems with motor mannerism.
Some children will show as independent, yet they are just lacking social interaction.
Will often want a rigid schedule and will line up toys in a certain way, every time a game
is played.
May refuse to eat food due to the texture, are may only want to eat that food.

This is a very trusted sources that goes very into depth regarding the clinical features of Autism
Spectrum disorder, and how many of the children who have been diagnosed will behave in social
situation and in their home.
 Daniela Alvarez
ISM- Period 7

Weissman , Laura. Overview of Management . Edited by Marilyn Agustyn et al. UpToDate ,

Wol, 10 Aug. 2017, www.uptodate.com.

The use of treatment on children with ASD is used to maximize the function, create more
independence and allow for quality of life to improve. They are trying to target those core
symptoms, that could make a big difference in the childs life.
The early intervention can be very good for the patient. It can treat behavior and
communication.
Symptoms can decrease overtime, although it does not cure the disease it can help
though.
A child with ASD should constantly visit the specialist, this can be such as a
developmental pediatrician or a psychologist.
The frequency of the visit could be adjusted with the progression of the child.
Therapies are an important part of the treatment, and can be provided by the school or the
early intervention program.
The Individual with Disabilities Education Act provides free public education for any
child with a disability.
These services provide individualized educational programs; these programs are
frequently reviewed.
The treatment should be individualized and can really change as the child progresses and
outgrows some of the symptoms.
There is more research in the area of children from 3 to adolescence. Therefore, there is
little medications and treatments out there for children who are under 3 and older.
To treat hyperactivity, the child might take psychotropic medications. These types of
drugs can treat more of behavioral problems yet do not help underlying ASD.
Many families seek other therapies such as speech therapy.
The pediatrician must continually check up on the child as they can change, such as their
behavior or growth.
The pediatrician is the first one to raise concerns about the childs diagnosis.
The pediatrician should allow for visits with children with ASD to be longer than usual.
Since it can be harder to focus and to pay attention for the child.
They still require the regular routine check and the same vaccinations. It is very
important to gather information about diet and schedules and behavior at the house as
well as with sibling.
It is important to address safety. Many of children with ASD will often wonder off and
might even get lost.
Very important for the parent or guardian to keep an eye on the child.

This source is very detailed about the treatment, and the different forms of treatment for a child
diagnosed with ASD.