Early Indicators of Autism Early Indicators of Autism Diagnosis of Autism Autism, or any of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders, requires a medical diagnosis made by a physician or clinical psychologist.
Diagnosis is difficult for a practitioner with limited training or exposure to autism.
Families seeking a clinical diagnosis often report frustration and difficulty securing referrals to specialists. There are no medical tests for diagnosing autism. However, because many of the behaviors associated with autism are shared by other disorders, a doctor may complete various medical tests to rule out other possible causes. In order to be diagnosed accurately, a child must be observed by professionals skilled in determining communication, social, behavioral and developmental levels. A brief observation in a single setting cannot present a true picture of an individual's abilities and behavior patterns.