Pediatric Care+ specializes in the treatment and diagnosis of Autism.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that screening for Autism should be done as early as 18 months old. We complete an early childhood evaluation as part of our toddler well child checks.
Early intervention during the preschool years can help your child learn critical social, communication, functional and behavioral skills.
While we diagnose and treat a lot of younger patients, we are also certified and experienced in treating adolescent and adult Autism.
How Pediatric Care Is Different
At Pediatric Care+ use the WPS test, which is considered the “gold standard”. The goal of treatment is to maximize patient’s ability to function by reducing autism spectrum disorder symptoms and supporting development and learning.
Autism Spectrum Disorder varies widely in symptoms and severity, making diagnosis difficult. Our providers may use the following methods to diagnose a patient:
- Observation and questioning of social interactions, communication skills and changes in behavior.
- Various tests covering hearing, speech, and language development.
- Presenting and scoring structured social and communication performance.
- Criteria found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder typically continue to learn and compensate for problems throughout life, but most will continue to require some level of support. Planning for future opportunities, such as employment, college, living situation, independence and the services required for support can make this process much more manageable.