Autism Spectrum Disorder
Part of being a parent or caregiver is vigilance for any signs that your child’s development might veer from the majority. It can lead to a lot of anxiety to consider the possibility of a developmental delay or a condition such as autism spectrum disorder. Autism is a condition that impacts how a person perceives and socializes with others and may impact interaction and socialization with others. As the name suggests, there is a spectrum of the condition from very mild to more severe.
Some forms of very mild autism may not become evident till adulthood. Most forms may be diagnosed in toddlerhood – a lack of interest in play with others, and repetitive behaviours such as stacking and spinning. The 18 month visit to your primary care provider is a pivotal time to consider this diagnosis.
Early diagnosis will allow for a variety of supports to be put in place to help children with ASD reach their potential. Indeed, a team of psychologists, primary care practitioners, pediatricians and educational workers is needed to implement a strategy to help children achieve their maximal ability.
If you suspect that your child may have ASD, the first step is to contact your primary care provider. In preparation for the visit, you can download the MCHAT, or modified autism checklist. Completing it ahead of time will allow you to take stock of symptoms before the visit. The link to the checklist is below.
If your child has been diagnosed, consider contacting Ontario Autism. There are delays in referral and the system is difficult to navigate. This organization can help you to understand the resources as well as help with advocacy and support.
Finally, Elon Musk has famously spoken of his diagnosis of Asperger’s which is “on the spectrum” of ASD. We have shifted from calling ASD a disorder to a condition. We are all differently abled and learning to navigate the world with our abilities helps us all to achieve and live fully.
Resources
- Autismontario.com
- The MCHAT – https://childpsychiatry.wustl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Mchat.pdf
Dr. Bhooma Bhayana is a family physician in London and the mother of two young men and proud grandmother of three! She continues to find wonder and enjoyment in family practice despite more than 30 years on the job!
