Childhood Autism Testing: What to Know and When to Seek Evaluation

Our team is here to help parents understand when childhood autism testing may be needed and appropriate for their child. We can guide you through the evaluation process and provide you with resources and recommendations after the testing is complete. At the Geo Psychological Testing, we offer childhood autism testing in The Woodlands and the Houston area so that children with autism can get the support they need to grow into their full potential.

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition. It affects communication, sensory processing, and behavior. Around 1 in 36 children are diagnosed with ASD in the United States. There is not one group of people more prone to ASD than others. It occurs across all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups.

What are the Signs of Autism in Children?

Not all children will show every sign or present ASD in the same way. Children also may not present ASD in the way many people imagine someone with autism to act. These signs can first start to appear as early as 12 to 24 months old in some children. A child’s symptoms can also change as they grow, and some symptoms are less commonly known. That is why childhood autism testing is important. 

Social Communication Signs: 

• Limited Eye Contact
• Delayed or No Speech 
• Difficulty Engaging in Conversations 
• Limited Use of Hand Gestures

Behavioral Signs: 

• Strong Preference for Routines and Trouble Adapting when Routines are Broken 
• Repetitive Movements 
• Intense or Narrow Interests 
• Difficulty Pretending During Imaginative Play 

Sensory Sensitivity:

• Over or Under Reactivity to Sensory Simulants such as Sounds, Textures, Lights, and Smells
• Unusual Sensory-Seeking Behaviors, such as Touching Objects Excessively 

When to Seek Evaluation

You might notice that your child isn’t hitting developmental speech or social milestones, or regressing on some of the milestones they already did hit. This could look like a loss of words or social skills. It could be something that a pediatrician or teacher/daycare provider brings to your attention. This may be due to concerning results from a screening or symptoms that are more prominent in different environments.

The Process of Childhood Autism Testing 

ASD testing involves multiple tests, evaluations, and observations. This is to ensure that the findings are accurate. We will look at your child’s developmental and medical history. We will interview you as the parent(s) or guardian(s), as well as have you fill out a questionnaire about your child’s behaviors and development. We may also get input from other caregivers, such as teachers, daycare providers, or other family members who watch your child, if applicable. Getting this information from you and other caregivers gives us deeper insight into how your child functions daily in different settings. We will then observe your child and use standardized assessment tools such as the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2). This involved structured play activities and conversations with your child. During this observation, we see how your child communicates and look for repetitive behaviors. 

Childhood Autism Testing Results and Next Steps

After the testing, we provide you with our findings and a comprehensive report. This could result in an ASD diagnosis, no ASD diagnosis but an identification of another condition, such as an anxiety disorder or speech delay, or no formal diagnosis but recommendations for other testing, resources, or monitoring. It is also possible that your child has a co-occurring condition with ASD, such as ADHD or a learning disability. This is not uncommon. In the report, we’ll describe your child’s strengths and areas where they may need support, as well as recommendations for interventions, therapy, and school support. 

When it comes to ASD, early intervention can significantly improve your child’s communication and adaptive skills, and there are many school-based services for children with ASD. That being said, it is never too late for testing. At Geo Psychological Testing, we’re here to help with childhood autism testing in The Woodlands and the Houston area. If you notice any signs in your child, give us a call or contact us through our website here.