Six. That’s the average age of diagnosis of ASD in the state of Virginia. And that’s a shame. Because professionals can make a reliable diagnosis of ASD in children as young as two. And when it comes to diagnosing ASD, the sooner, the better.

Since there is no blood test to determine the presence of autism, diagnosing ASD can be difficult. A medical diagnosis begins with screening.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that doctors screen for autism at both the 18-month and 24-month well-child visits. If you are not sure whether your pediatrician screens for ASD, ask. During a screening, the pediatrician observes the child’s behavior and development. The doctor may also ask the child’s caregiver to complete a questionnaire. If the doctor notices atypical or delayed development, he or she may recommend a comprehensive diagnostic assessment.

The American Psychiatric Association publishes the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) to provide healthcare professionals with a common vocabulary and standard criteria for diagnosing mental health conditions such as ASD. The association published the current version of the manual, the DSM-5, in 2013. In this edition, the diagnosis of ASD emphasizes “deficits in social communication and social interaction” and “restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities.”

The autism spectrum disorder diagnosis now includes three conditions formerly diagnosed separately: autistic disorder, Asperger’s disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS).

Just because your child receives a medical diagnosis of ASD does not mean he or she will automatically receive the educational disability category of autism. This means your child may not be immediately eligible for special education services through the public school system. We encourage you to contact your local school division’s special education department to request an assessment to obtain an educational diagnosis.

For more information, refer to A Parent’s Guide to Special Education from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) and the autism page on the VDOE’s website.

Many parents of children with ASD report that they have behavioral issues at school. Often times, a child “acts out” because they have no other way to communicate. Talk to your child’s educational team about your concerns. A functional behavior assessment (FBA) might help you determine how best to support your child through a behavior intervention plan (BIP). You might also consider contacting a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA).

Research shows that Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is an effective treatment, so it is referred to as being “evidence-based.” ABA works for children, adolescents and adults. ABA uses techniques and principles such as reinforcement to address socially important problems and effect meaningful behavior change.

When it comes to intervention, the sooner, the better. In fact, research shows that intervention is most effective in the preschool years, when the brain is developing most rapidly.

The commonwealth of Virginia provides early intervention services for children until they are three years old. Sadly, many families miss out on these services because they are reluctant to seek a diagnosis when concerns first arise. If you suspect a developmental delay, ask your doctor for an assessment. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

It’s also important to remember that intervention at any age can still help. In fact, according to the National Autism Center, many educational and behavioral interventions have been proven effective for people up to the age of 22.

It’s important to note that there is a lot of misinformation about ASD on the internet and elsewhere. At best, this misinformation is confusing. At worst, it may be harmful. We recommend the following resources to anyone interested in learning more about evidence-based treatments and interventions:

Our blog is another great source of information regarding treatment and intervention.

In Virginia, there are several ways to pay for treatment and services:

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that ensures services to children with disabilities. IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention services (for ages birth to three) and special education and related services (for ages 3-21).

Remember, just because your child has a medical diagnosis of ASD does not mean they’ll automatically receive the educational disability category of autism. If your child does receive an educational diagnosis of ASD, their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) team decides whether your local school division can provide FAPE. If it can’t, the state will pay for out-of-school placement. For more information regarding placement decisions, read A Parent’s Guide to Special Education from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE).