Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Screening

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in a person's brain. ASD affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave. It can be diagnosed at any age, but symptoms usually show up in the first two years of life and can be life-long.

ASD is called a 'spectrum disorder' because there is a wide range of symptoms and strengths in people with ASD. For example, some people with ASD may not talk at all, while others have strong language skills. The learning, thinking, and problem-solving abilities of people with ASD may range from severely challenged to gifted.

ASD screening is mainly used for young children. It helps find out whether a child has any early signs that could be ASD. But screening cannot diagnose ASD.

If a screening shows that a child may have the disorder, more testing will be needed to find out for sure. ASD screening in early childhood is important because early treatment for ASD can help reduce autism symptoms and improve quality of life. For this reason, health care providers routinely screen children for ASD before age two.

Older children and adults may also be screened if they have symptoms of ASD but have never been diagnosed with the disorder. Providers used to group ASD into different types of autism based on a person's symptoms. These were called Asperger syndrome, autistic disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS).

There terms are no longer used to diagnose ASD.

How to prepare

There are no special preparations needed for this screening.

Other names for this test

ASD screening