Standards of Diagnostic Assessment for Autism Spectrum Disorder
Paediatrics & Child Health
Brian, J. A., Zwaigenbaum, L., et al. (2019).
Paediatrics & Child Health, 24(7), 444-460.
This document provides recommendations on the diagnostic procedures for autism spectrum disorder.
Canadian Paediatric Society
For children on the autism spectrum, a comprehensive physical examination should include a "hearing and vision assessment with referral to audiologist, optometrist, or ophthalmologist, as needed" (p. 448).
"After a child has been diagnosed with [autism spectrum disorder] ASD, the paediatric clinician's role is to ensure that a comprehensive needs assessment for treatment and intervention planning is considered, when this step was not part of initial diagnostic evaluation" (p. 449). The needs assessment may evaluate skills including, but not limited to, cognitive functioning and speech/language/communication skills.
The following elements should be included in the diagnostic assessment for autism spectrum disorder (ASD):
<ol>
<li>review of records (e.g., medical, developmental history, prior assessments);</li>
<li>interview of parents, family members, or other caregivers;</li>
<li>assessment for core features of ASD;</li>
<li>comprehensive physical examination, such as a hearing assessment with referral to an audiologist; and</li>
<li>consideration of differential diagnoses and co-occurring conditions (e.g., language disorder, learning disorder).</li>
</ol>
