Early Autism Evaluation
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) doesn’t look the same in all children, which makes it difficult to diagnose. Here’s why⬇️
☑️There is no medical test to diagnose the disorder.
☑️Doctors rely on the child’s developmental behaviour to make a diagnosis.
☑️Kids develop at different rates
☑️Symptoms vary so much
Early evaluation is imperative to spot autism in children. An autism assessment includes a battery of observations and assessments by a paediatrician or clinical psychologist during a well-child consultation.
Do you worry that your child may have autism? Autism STEP conducts autism evaluation through structured assessment tools. Book a consultation today or call us at +65 6456 9950
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Professional Autism Evaluation
The number of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Singapore is slightly higher than the World Health Organization (WHO)’s global figure. And here’s more…👀
👁️🗨️WHO reports that one in 160 children has autism across the globe
👁️🗨️In Singapore, one in 150 children has autism
👁️🗨️In Singapore’s population of 5 million, about 50,000 individuals have been diagnosed with ASD
👁️🗨️Of these, 11,500 are under the age of 19
Though the numbers can be quite alarming, experts believe the bulk of the increase stems from a growing awareness of autism and changes to the condition’s diagnostic criteria.
ABA therapy improves a child’s ability to function, reduces symptoms, and supports learning and development. Learn more about ABA therapy. Please schedule a consultation with us today, or call +65 6456 9950.
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Autism Questionnaire For Parents and Commonly Asked Questions
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can look very diverse in different children. They have varied verbal abilities ranging from no speech at all to speech that is fluent but may sound awkward or inappropriate.
As early as infancy, children with ASD may manifest different symptoms. They may become extremely focused on one object, avoid eye contact, or fail to engage in typical babbling. On the other hand, some babies may develop normally until they reach their second or third year of life.
As parents, it’s normal to feel concerned about your child meeting their developmental milestones. Nonetheless, it is important to figure out how to spot autism early to get an evaluation from a healthcare professional.
In this blog, we’ve rounded up a list of the commonly used autism questionnaires for parents to help gather information on possible early signs of ASD. We also added the questions that are usually asked.
Common autism questionnaires for parents
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that ASD can be detected at 18 months or younger. When a child has been diagnosed by age 2 by a healthcare professional, it can be considered very reliable. Children can undergo assessment during their well-baby visits at 9, 18, and 30 months, as recommended by the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP).
There are screening tools and common autism questionnaires for parents to determine if their child is performing their expected developmental milestones. These tools will help you see whether your child’s symptoms resemble those of children diagnosed with ASD. Usually, a high score will suggest that an autism evaluation from a trained healthcare professional is necessary.
In Singapore, the following are the commonly-used screening tools for autism:
- Autism Diagnosis Interview-Revised (ADI-R) – ADI-R is an interview for caregivers of children that focuses on behaviours of children in three areas – communication and language, quality of social interaction, and repetitive, restricted and stereotyped behaviour and interests.
- Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) – This tool is clinic-based play observation, wherein the physician will observe a child for about 40 minutes to one hour with activities that aim to assess a child’s social communication, play or imaginative use of materials, and social interaction.
- IQ Test: The WPPSI and WISC – These are clinical tools that are used to ascertain if the child may be on the autism spectrum. These tests have various components such as verbal comprehension, visual-spatial, fluid reasoning, working memory, and processing speed.
Worldwide, other tools are also used to evaluate if a child has ASD:
- Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills (ABLLS) – The ABLLS assessment is designed to determine critical learner and language skills in those with autism and other developmental disabilities. The test also assesses expressive language skills using the verbal behaviour method of behavioural analysis. It helps healthcare professionals assess academic, language, self-help, and motor skills deficiencies, and then implement and evaluate treatment interventions.
- Verbal Behaviour Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB-MAPP) – The VB-MAPP is an autism screening tool used to assess a child’s language and social skills. In addition, the tool also measures learning styles to develop the appropriate curriculum. Further, the system is designed to monitor and track improvement over time for those with language delays.
- Early Symptomatic Syndromes Eliciting Neurodevelopmental Clinical Examinations-Questionnaire (ESSENCE-Q) – The ESSENCE-Q, which was developed by Professor Christopher Gillberg in 2010, is a level-one questionnaire developed to focus on the various psychiatric and learning problems experienced by children in the first five years of life. It can help parents determine common developmental disorders in their children, before they can get a diagnosis.
- Autism Behaviour Checklist (ABC) – This level-two screening questionnaire highlights the signs and symptoms of ASD. It’s a 57-item behaviour rating scale to assess the behaviours and symptoms of autism for children 3 years old and above.
- The Autism Family Experience Questionnaire (AFEQ) – The AFEQ was developed through online consultations with parents. It was administered to parents of children enrolled in the Pre-school Autism Communication Trial.
- Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) – The ASSQ is a screening questionnaire designed to determine the prevalence of Asperger’s Syndrome, and is now one of the most widely-used autism screening tools across the globe.
A pre-assessment test is also a good start for parents to see if their child is exhibiting symptoms of autism. This online test can provide a basis for parents to seek a more detailed screening tool provided by health professionals.
Questions that parents should ask before seeking diagnosis
1. Does your child look you or others in the eye?
Children with autism show deficits in nonverbal communicative behaviours used for social interaction, including the lack of eye contact.
Eye contact helps people communicate their attention and interest to a conversation partner. Often, we maintain eye contact to respond to important social cues from others. For children in the spectrum, however, making eye contact can be extremely stressful. Hence, they avoid eye contact, or they can’t maintain it for a long period of time.
2. Does your child respond to their name?
Infants as young as 4 to 6 months old usually perk up and become attentive when they hear their names. This hints that the sound patterns of their names are internalised early in life. Children with autism often fail to consistently respond to their names by their first birthday. It’s also one of the most consistent early signs of ASD and other developmental delays.
A study also found that at 9 months old, infants developing autism were more likely to fail to orient to their names, which persists through 24 months of age.
3. How does your child communicate with you non-verbally?
Nonverbal communication is important as it improves one’s ability to engage, relate, and establish meaningful communication. It provides valuable information about a situation, including how we feel, receive information, and approach another person.
People with autism, however, find it difficult to use words to express what they need and want. They often speak in single words or short phrases and struggle in understanding language. They have a hard time recognising nonverbal cues, or their gestures or expressions do not match the situation.
You may be asked if your child uses your hand if they want something, or if they can point to an object and say they want it. Also, an autism questionnaire for parents may include queries about your child’s facial expressions, such as smiling, pouting, and frowning, in response to situations.
In turn, it’s also important to note if your child understands or responds to the expressions of other people. For instance, when you frown or exhibit an angry face, will they know that you’re sad or upset?
4. Does your child repeat sounds and words they hear?
Echolalia is when children with autism repeat words without regard for meaning. No one knows the cause of echolalia, but it’s common in autism. They repeat the phrases or words of familiar people, like their parents or caregivers, or they might repeat words or songs from their favourite video.
There are two types of echolalia – immediate and delayed. Immediate echolalia happens when the child repeats words or sentences right after they’ve heard them. In delayed echolalia, the words are repeated at a later time.
Children often develop echolalia because of prolonged hours of screen time and repeat-watching the same video or the same video segments over and over again. As a result, they become obsessed with it. Thus, even when they are not watching the video, it replays in their head, causing delayed echolalia. In immediate echolalia, the child does not understand the question asked but is aware that they are expected to answer. So, they repeat after you.
5. Does your child have sensory needs?
When we talk about sensory input, we think of our five senses – sight, smell, taste, hearing, and touch. In ASD, children can experience both hyposensitivity (under-responsiveness) and hypersensitivity (over-responsiveness) to a broad range of stimuli. In some cases, they might have a combination of both.
Children may react strongly to bright lights or loud noises. Certain sounds, smells, tastes, and textures can be overwhelming for them, which leads to a meltdown. Often, they resort to sensory avoidance wherein they try to get away from stimuli. This may look like covering their ears to avoid loud noises, pulling away from physical touch, and avoiding certain clothing or food.
6. How well does your child communicate verbally?
Delayed speech is a classic sign of ASD. Some children with autism have very limited speaking skills, while others may not be able to communicate using speech or language. This question is usually asked in autism assessment tools. Some follow-up questions include topics about conversations with others, how well they express their thoughts, and if they use words or phrases that only you can understand.
7. What Activities Does Your Child Like?
One important aspect of an autism evaluation is knowing what activities they like. Most often, they are fixated on certain objects, like spinning a toy car’s wheel.
Lining up toys in a row and arranging things symmetrically are also common in children with autism. However, experts say that these are usually seen among toddlers as they are in a stage of mastering things in their environment. Parents should be concerned when these behaviours have become habitual or obsessive.
It’s also common for children with autism to get upset when their routine becomes interrupted. Autistic children also play differently than those who do not have autism. They often prefer repeated actions over and over, rather than playing pretend. They prefer to play alone and struggle with playing with other kids.
8. Does your child engage in odd movements?
Stimming is a typical symptom in children on the spectrum. It refers to self-stimulating behaviours involving repetitive sounds or movements. When they feel anxious, stressed or even when they’re happy, they resort to movements like rocking, hand flapping, flicking their fingers, waving their arms.
Next steps
An autism questionnaire for parents provides an overview of the questions your healthcare professional will ask during an evaluation. If your child’s scores are worrisome, you need to contact a multidisciplinary team for an autism assessment, including a paediatrician, a psychologist, a psychiatrist, a speech pathologist, and a therapist.
Remember, there’s no single test for autism. An ASD diagnosis is based on observing how children interact and play with others, reviewing their developmental history, and interviewing parents or caregivers.
At AutismSTEP, we are a team of certified and experienced BCBAs and RBTs. We conduct autism assessments and provide a tailored treatment plan for your child. To ensure that your child is in good hands during the therapy sessions, all our therapists are RBT-certified.
To help you make an informed decision on the type of therapy your child needs, please schedule a consultation with us today, or call +65 6456 9950.
AutismSTEP and Income insurance Collaboration
For the first time in Singapore, insurance company Income insurance collaborates with an Autism Centre, AutismSTEP.Income insurance provides coverage to children with autism for medical expenses due to accidents and infectious diseases. Get coverage for both you, as the policyholder, and your insured child.AutismSTEP clients can now sign up for SpecialCare (Autism) Insurance and enjoy an exclusive 10% discount—as long as you are our existing client before applying for the insurance. Learn more about the insurance plan and coverage ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/2p84pxa9#AutismSTEP #Income #insurance #autisminsurance #autisminsuranceSG #autism #ASD #autismSG #autismsingapore #socialstories
ABA Therapy: Help Your Child Live a Full Life
Getting an autism diagnosis for your child can be a life-changing experience for your family, but you’re not alone in this. Here’s how we can help ⬇️
There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). A personalised, research-based therapy reduces symptoms and improves quality of life.
ABA therapy improves self-care skills, social skills, play skills, and the ability to manage their behaviour. There may be no cure for autism but with supportive therapy and treatment, your child can live a full life.
Learn more about how ABA therapy can guide your child to overcome the symptoms of ASD. Visit our page to learn more ➡️https://www.autismstep.com/autism-assessment-for-children-what-to-expect/
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Speech-Language Therapy for Children With Autism
Children with autism may find it hard to have conversations and may not notice social cues. Hence, good communication skills are key to addressing challenging behaviours and speech struggles.
Speech-Language therapy guides children with autism refine their spoken language and enhance non-verbal skills. It increases a child’s aptitude for independence and positively impacts their quality of life.
At AutismSTEP, we ensure your child can meet their full potential. Book for a consultation now at ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/ms58792e
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Unlock Your Child’s Verbal Potential with ABA Therapy
Is your child having a hard time naming objects or simply cannot recall the name of an item they need?
Many children with autism tend to be uncommunicative unless they are prompted to talk. Hence, it is essential for children to put a name to an object and be able to articulate it so they can clearly communicate about them. This is called tacting.
Tacts or labels strengthen a child’s vocabulary. Teaching more tacts allows children to learn and use more words to better express themselves.
ABA therapy can unlock a child’s verbal ability and help them build the language skills necessary to describe their day-to-day environment.
To learn more about ABA Therapy, contact us at ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/ms58792e
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Autism Early Detection
Autism can significantly impact a child’s life, but there are ways to make sure that they are getting the right care to unlock their true potential.
Getting an early assessment will optimise outcomes for children with autism.
The first step to helping your child thrive is getting a professional autism evaluation.
For more information about autism evaluation and how to prepare for it, read our blog ➡️ https://www.autismstep.com/autism-assessment-for-children-what-to-expect/
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Parent’s Guide to Help Your Child With Autism Thrive
As a parent, it’s normal to worry about your child’s future, especially if they have a challenging condition such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Being told that autism is incurable can leave you feeling concerned and unsure about how you can care for them.
Nonetheless, you can do many things to support your child and help them thrive. Studies show that therapy and your support will go a long way in managing your child’s symptoms, allowing them to live a full life.
Through it all, we’d like you to know that you’re not alone in this. So in this blog, we’ve provided autism spectrum disorder help for parents, including steps to be taken for their kids to unlock their true potential.
1. Learn about your child’s condition
When raising a child on the spectrum, it is important to thoroughly understand their condition. Autism presents itself distinctively from one child to another, so knowing exactly how it impacts your child will help you recognise why they react to certain circumstances.
The more you learn about autism, the more you can identify your child’s behavioural patterns and needs. In autism treatment, knowledge from both research and your consultation with a health professional will guide you in making the right decisions for your child’s health.
For starters, do research on the internet, which has a multitude of information about autism in children. Apart from this, you can also speak to your child’s doctor. A health professional is in the best position to help you understand the condition better. Plus, your child’s doctor can refer you for an autism assessment from a specialist psychiatrist or psychologist.
2. Accept your child’s unique self
The first thing you need to do is accept your child exactly as they are even if things get tough at times. When you embrace their uniqueness and believe in them unconditionally, it empowers your child to believe in their potential.
Rather than focusing on how your child is different from other kids, or what they are missing, be open to their quirks, stop comparing your child to others, and celebrate small successes.
3. Create a safe home space
Your home should be a safe environment for your child. You can also designate a space for your child to calm down, reinforcing the idea of feeling secure.
In this space, you can put familiar objects that your child finds comforting, like their favourite blanket or plush toy. They can use the space whenever they feel anxious or upset.
4. Be consistent
Children in the spectrum may struggle with spontaneity. Often, they are rigid in their behaviours and may find it hard to adjust to changes. Your responsibility is to make sure you have a routine and schedule since these are comforting for your child. Remember, sudden changes can trigger their anxiety.
Draw out a schedule for your child with well-defined starts and ends. Steer away from distractions and make sure you do things in ways that your child is comfortable with.
While changes may make your child upset, prepare for these by communicating with your child. If you have planned changes or a sudden shift from your schedule, make sure they understand. Remind them of upcoming events or unplanned change so they will not be kept off guard.
5. Make communication easier
One way to make communication easier is by learning to connect with your child in nonverbal ways.
Children with autism have varied abilities when it comes to verbal and non-verbal communication. Many times, even those with verbal skills may prefer to communicate non-verbally.
Communication goes beyond simply talking, as it includes other methods — voice tone, nonverbal cues, body language, and how you look at your child. Try to learn your child’s movement patterns to determine what they need and want.
Furthermore, when communicating with your child, use short and clear sentences, give simple instructions, talk about what they like, and choose the right time to talk to them, before you move on to using longer sentences. All these will help you understand your child better and, in turn, they will also learn to communicate better.
6. Use positive reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is an effective management method in dealing with challenging behaviours of children with autism. It can also help them learn new skills and actions. You can use this concept to help your child thrive in day-to-day circumstances.
It goes beyond giving rewards after your child does something you want them to do. It is the concept of how a person will show a particular behaviour more often as time goes by.
Applied behavioural analysis (ABA) therapy is an approach that focuses on using positive reinforcement. The goal of treatment is to improve social, behavioural, communication, and learning skills.
There are various types of ABA therapy, but all are based on the idea that reinforcing certain behaviours will lead the kids to repeat them.
7. Observe your child’s sensory sensitivities
Many children with autism experience sensitivity to sound, light, touch, taste, and smell. This means they can be oversensitive to these triggers, making them anxious. In some cases, a sensory overload could lead to a meltdown.
Figure out what sensory sensitivity your child has to prevent an overload. You can provide sensory tools to reduce stress and make them feel at ease.
8. Make time for fun
A child with ASD is still a child. They also need time for fun and enjoyment, especially with their parents. Set aside time for fun and games together as this can also help your child smile, laugh, and even communicate with you. After all, play is an essential part of learning for all children.
9. Don’t give up
When things get tough, just soldier on. Although you may feel frustrated and helpless sometimes, stay positive. Believe in yourself and your child, and teach them to have faith in their potential. You can also empower yourself by tackling one thing at a time. One day, when they grow up living full lives, you’ll look back with a sense of accomplishment. Celebrating small wins will help you get through a stressful day at home.
10. Find help
While you might feel overwhelmed at times, there’s always help. You can get support from your family, friends, support groups, and health professionals. Having the right support can make a big difference to you and your child’s life.
Look for licensed therapists to assist in the treatment of your child. They can make a tailored treatment plan that can help your child cope with stress, and learn new skills.
At AutismSTEP, we know the challenges you may be experiencing in raising your child with autism. We use the beneficial effects of ABA therapy to help them progressively improve — learning to thrive in their day-to-day life.
We believe in the constructive effects of this treatment and we have certified therapists on board to help your child through the process using a customised approach.
AutismSTEP is a team of certified and experienced BCBAs and RBTs. To ensure that your kids are in good hands during the therapy sessions, all our therapists are required to be RBT-certified.
To help you make an informed decision on the type of therapy your child needs, please schedule a consultation with us today, or call +65 6456 9950.
What is Priming?
Priming is a crucial intervention that allows the child to know what’s going to happen next. When they are offered suggestions on what they can do or say, they are less likely to experience tantrums.
Priming is most effective when it is built into the child’s routine. For more helpful insights on managing your child’s tantrums, read our blog ➡️ https://www.autismstep.com/9-aba-therapy-techniques/
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