I'm doing some medical research on autism in babies and children up to 2/3years, and i wondered what kind of doctor would specialize in diagnosing this in children, and what kind of tests they would generally run. I initially thought neurologists, but I'm still not really sure.Is it also possible that there could be a physical cause for autism, such as something to do with the brain or anything like that?Thanks!
What kind of doctor specializes in autism?
Larry
New member
Psychoanalysts treat and diagnose autism. The most famous current psychoanalyst specialist in autism is Dr. Stanley Greenspan. He developed Floor Time which is a refinement of treatments developed by earlier psychoanalysts starting with Anna Freud:http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1191852,00.htmlIncidentally, autism is not a neurological illness. There are no neurological tests for it although neurologists have been trying their hardest to find one. There are, however, neurological tests for real neurological illnesses. So. If people go to a neurologist to find out if they have autism, the doctor will charge an arm and a leg to give a battery of neurological tests. After every real neurological condition is ruled out, the doctor will then decide it's safe to diagnose autism.
32 Flavors
New member
I think most use pschologists, but it has to be one that specializes in autism. Even a masters level counselor is licensed to do it, but they have to have some kind of special training after school to show that they have special training in autism. Thus, you kind of have to call around in your area to find a counselor or psychologist that specializes in autism and then ask them what tests they use. They each may use different testing, but they are almost always used to have a good representation of levels of skills. These tests are kind of important because they show in writing on changes that may occur as the child grows or gets treatment. Know that there are doctors and parents who are ridding their children of autism by treating for pathogens and toxins, which you can find by asking on Yahoo Groups or going to foundations, organizations, etc. and asking there. If you go to one and they don't know, then go to another, because some are helpful and some are not.
Phycologists typically diagnose autism spectrum disorders. There also over people who are qualified to diagnose as well. They ask the parents a variety of questions. I believe this questions are the most important part of the test, so be honest.They will also observe the child and ask the child questions. My son is 3 and nonverbal so he could not answer the questions.
NICHOLAS S
New member
DAN DOCTORS. MY GRANDSON HAS AUTISM THE DR. HE GOES TO IS GREAT. TAUGH DAVID ALOT. HE IS VERY AUTISTIC. BUT THIS DR. DOES NOT GIVE UP AND MY SON FOLLOWS HIS ADVICE. GOD ONLY KNOWS WHere IT COMES FROM. STILL A MYSTERY TO US. NO ONE ELSE OF OUR 16 GRANDCHLDREN HAVE IT BUT DAVID NOW 9 YEARS,
My son is 4 and for the past 12 months he has been attending a child development centre for children with special needs. He sees a paediatrician there (every 6 months). We are in the process of a diagnosis of mild autism, but believe it can take up to a couple of years to diagnose depending on how profound the child traits are. He has seen an Educational Psychologist, who also can apparently diagnose. From experience, my son has only had a small nursery assessment(where he was observed interacting in a small group of other children with similar needs). I am sure there are additional tests which can be performed, but things like blood and urine tests would not diagnose the condition!I haven't heard of any 'physical' cause of autism, some people believe an infection just before/just after the birth is a possibility - ?!Hope this helps!
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