Autism Test

If your child isn’t achieving their full potential

If you’re concerned about your output at work

If you’re interested in arranging an autism test

Why are autism tests necessary?

They can help your child reach their full potential.

Autism tests are necessary for a variety of reasons. A diagnosis of autism can provide clarity to families and help individuals access the support they need. It can give parents direction regarding what kind of therapies might be beneficial. Plus, it can illuminate which educational strategies may prove successful. Yet, the most crucial factor in evaluating an individual is this. We must understand that the nature of their disability is essential to helping them reach their fullest potential.

 

Autism is a developmental disorder that can present in early childhood and last throughout one’s life.

 

Autism tests are vital to diagnosing the condition so that proper educational assessments can be implemented. Yet, despite the importance of autism tests, many parents still question why they are necessary. Parents may think it is enough to observe their child and keep track of any behaviour or language development changes over time. However, an accurate diagnosis requires input from health professionals, medical exams, and psychological evaluations. Autism tests enable doctors to understand better what kind of intervention should be used for specific cases. It provides them with an accurate assessment of the individual’s abilities, strengths, and weaknesses.

 

Autism tests are vital in diagnosing and treating this lifelong developmental disorder.

 

These tests assess a person’s behaviour to determine if they meet the criteria for an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Autism can affect communication, social interaction, and daily life. As such, accurately identifying those who could benefit from interventions and therapies is crucial.

 

There are many different types of tests available to diagnose ASD, including

? | Observations by trained psychologists or psychiatrists

? | Questionnaires completed by family members or teachers

? | Genetic testing, blood work and imaging scans

 

Each test has its advantages and disadvantages. However, all share the common goal of providing a comprehensive educational assessment.

 

This way, people with autism can receive appropriate treatment and support. Early diagnosis is vital in managing the signs and symptoms associated with ASD. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects each person differently. Therefore, a qualified professional must assess an individual’s symptoms and behaviours over time. Doctors use several types of assessments to diagnose autism. These include developmental and behavioural screenings, laboratory tests, cognitive testing and medical exams. These tests can sometimes detect signs of autism even before obvious behaviours appear. Doing so allows treatment to begin at a younger age when it is more likely to be effective.

The benefits of an autism test

Identify your child’s strengths as well as what they need support with

Create strategies for your child’s learning and how they can move forward

Develop a plan to access appropriate support for your child’s education

An autism test can be a relief for your child – and it can be a relief for you

Raise your child’s self-esteem and confidence and provide targeted help

Autism Test: Diagnosis & Symptoms

We provide care tailored to each individual’s unique needs

 

Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication, behaviour, and social interaction. It can be diagnosed as early as 18 months of age, but its symptoms can vary from person to person. However, the wide range of symptoms present in affected individuals can be challenging to detect. Therefore, professionals rely on developmental screening tests and physical examinations. The Autism Test is designed to help identify individuals on the autism spectrum who may benefit from further evaluation.

 

It evaluates the potential presence of certain behaviours associated with autism, such as:

 

? | Delayed language skills
? | Communication deficits
? | Impaired motor coordination
? | Repetitive behaviour patterns

 

Additionally, physical assessments may reveal additional signs.

These might include (but are not limited to) difficulties with eye contact or sensory sensitivities. While these tests can help diagnose autism, parents and healthcare providers must work together. This way, we can stage an accurate diagnosis and implement a successful treatment plan. With this in mind, we take extraneous information into account, such as the individuals:

 

? | Development
? | Behaviour history
? | Family health history

 

The results of this test can help professionals accurately diagnose autism.

 

By recognising the signs of autism early on, we are better equipped to provide care tailored to each individual’s unique needs. Such information can be pertinent for those navigating their journey with autism. Educational Assessments can help detect autism by assessing an individual’s functional level in areas such as:

 

? | Language
? | Reading
? | Writing
? | Maths
? | Memory
? | Problem-solving abilities

 

In addition to this type of testing, parents should also look out for key signs.

 

These might include difficulty forming connections with others or poor eye contact. Typical behaviours include repetitive hand flapping, rocking movements, or strong resistance to change in routine or environment. Diagnosis and symptoms are two of the most important aspects to consider when assessing potential cases of autism. So please help us, help you.

Sound Familiar?

Every development disability is different. Having a diagnosis can be really important and helpful. But some individuals may feel that they needn’t get a diagnosis.

We think otherwise. Being diagnosed with a developmental disability is more than just helpful. It can help you to get the necessary support you need and open new doors.

An autism test can help you understand your child’s needs and how you can help your child. It can also help get support for parents and carers, such as financial benefits.

What’s involved with cognitive testing in Brisbane?

From social interaction to communication and behaviour.

 

Being on the autistic spectrum disorder is a lifelong condition. Therefore, it’ll be well worth your time undertaking an autism test. You’ll notice that we used the term “autism spectrum disorder” because it is, in fact, a spectrum – it isn’t a single disorder. Autism stems from differences in biology that influence brain development. Such people vary and are on the spectrum with different skills, abilities, and characteristics. Despite their differences, however, they all share certain things in common, things that an autism test will detect. We’ll discuss those common features and characteristics in a moment.

 

Whilst autism is a lifelong condition; children can make significant improvements. They can – just like all children – improve in life, but they will not grow out of autism.

 

When we talk about autism, we also often include Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD). PDD is otherwise referred to as PDD-NOS – or “Not Otherwise Specified”. We also talk about Asperger’s syndrome, which we sometimes refer to as high-functioning autism. Plus, we discuss Childhood Disintegrative Disability or Disorder (CDD) too. The predominant feature linking the autistic spectrum together is difficulties with social interaction. This extends to communication and the area of behaviour, so let’s look at each of those individually.

 

Social interaction

 

Social interaction difficulties and anxiety can sometimes mean that making friends is a struggle. Yet, this should never be confused with a lack of desire to have friendships. The vast majority of children and adults on the autistic spectrum do like to socialise. Sometimes, that just means socialising differently. Autism can affect a person’s ability to understand subtle emotional cues, such as tone of language or body language. Yet, when emotions are communicated more directly, there’s a wealth of evidence for the opposite. Children and adults on the spectrum are likelier to feel empathy for others. In the social interaction area, those with autism struggle to maintain and establish eye contact. They have difficulty reading facial expressions, plus their own faces are often inexpressive. They have problems with body posture, knowing how to move their body or moving their body in ways that endear them socially with their peers.

 

They struggle with emotional signals – knowing when emotions trigger responses – or are aware of their own emotional status.

 

They have difficulty in the area of reciprocity – that’s the give-and-take that you experience when you’re in a social situation with others. Those with autism also seem not to have a shared interest in or enjoyment with others. Their enjoyment is a very solo, introspective kind. When they behave socially, they are not tuned in or have difficulty tuning into the achievements of others. They have difficulty understanding other people’s feelings. One of the hallmarks of early signs of autism is that they don’t do that social, fun, interactive kind of stuff – for example, playing peekaboo. Most young children will break out into laughter because it’s fun, and there’s a smile attached to it, and they giggle. Yet young children with autism tend not to do that and are often not comforted by touch. The latter of which can be very disconcerting, certainly for young families. With all of that said, many people on the spectrum are in wonderful loving romantic relationships. Just like the rest of the community, not every person on the spectrum chooses to be in a romantic relationship, but that is not the same as not being capable of doing so.

 

Communication

 

Regarding communication, people with autism have difficulties in verbal and nonverbal domains. We very often see a delay or even a lack of talk. Young children with autism will sometimes begin to develop language, which will promptly stop. In many cases, that language never develops. They have difficulties in the communication domain with taking turns. So, if they say something, it’s often not in a reciprocal kind of give-and-take way. Therefore, they will have difficulty remaining engaged in conversations. Very often, what we hear and what we see in the communication domain is a stereotyped kind of communication.

 

So they’ll often repeat a phrase or a sound or word and may also be echolalic; they may repeat something that someone else says.

 

In the communication domain, individuals with autism have difficulty taking the listener’s perspective. They have difficulty understanding and responding to humour. Innuendo is very difficult for them, and again – as mentioned in the social interaction area – they tend to be concrete. They tend to focus on their self needs as opposed to the needs of others around them. However, the assumption that people on the spectrum don’t have a sense of humour is false. The funniest conversations we have ever had have been with autistic kids and adults, and they run rings around us at telling jokes.

 

Behaviour

 

In terms of their behaviour, individuals on the autism spectrum will often focus on parts or pieces of things and not the whole. They may focus on a button on a shirt, or they may focus on the wheels of a truck, but not necessarily how that truck works collectively. So that button is part of a piece of clothing with a particular function. They often have preoccupation. So, they may be preoccupied with toothbrushes, or they may be preoccupied with certain kinds of toys or certain types of objects around the house. They have a very high need for sameness.

 

Routines are very frustrating for them, and transitions tend to be very difficult.

 

Classic kinds of autism often are evidenced in some rocking behaviour, so there’s rocking back and forth of the whole body. There may be some flapping behaviour which could be arms or legs or both, and what we call twiddling. This is where you take something, shake it in your hand or move it back and forth, banging it around or tapping with it. Individuals with the autism spectrum disorder often have hypersensitivities to certain things. So, for example the texture of clothing or the texture of food. They may show a lack of awareness of those kinds of things of great interest.

 

When you think about the autism spectrum disorder, those individuals could be of low IQ . . . or they could have pretty significant cognitive and intellectual challenges, or even be gifted. There are features of ADHD that we see in many individuals on the autism spectrum. Plus, anxiety and depression are often complicating factors in this set of disorders.

 

We all know of films like Rain Man, where we see someone who is extraordinarily highly developed with sophisticated abilities.

 

Around 10% of autistic people have skills such as maths or drawing that are of extraordinary ability. They’re incredibly capable of remembering things – lists or maps or dates – or even have certain gifts in the area of music or some unusual sensory issue. However, this is a small proportion of the whole number of individuals diagnosed with autism. So, whilst some individuals present savant-like skills, it’s best to look past this caricature.

 

Instead, see the extraordinary human that lies beyond the diagnosis.

 

Some individuals with autism may react differently to touch. They may find touch very aversive or have difficulties managing it. They might not realise that they may be touching someone too hard or might tap someone when they mean to touch them harder. It appears that some people with the autism spectrum disorder may have difficulties with modulation of pain. In which case, they often have problems with certain textures. Also seen in autism are difficulties with sleep, and activities for daily living are almost always interrupted. The ability to care for yourself – to dress and feed and do certain kinds of activities for daily living – can be tricky. Sadly, this is even the case for some higher functioning individuals. So too are the ability to travel from one place to another and manage money. These are typical things that many of us take for granted.

 

Many people on the spectrum have intellectual disabilities, and also many do not.

 

Someone may have communication difficulties, but it doesn’t mean they also have intellectual disabilities. What it means is that we have to assess intelligence differently. A way that doesn’t rely so heavily on communication skills. Not every child will be great at maths. Not every child will repeat back words. Not every child will have difficulty speaking, and not every child will have hand mannerisms. Every child and adult on the autism spectrum is different and full of their own unique talents, personalities and – yes – challenges. When you, your family or a friend has an autism test, remember this: the label autism doesn’t mean one thing. What it is is a gateway to understanding a whole new way of thinking about the world and those children and adults are to be cherished for that fact.

Educational Reports

This defines your child’s performance compared to children of a similar age tested internationally.

 

Assessments challenge your child in varying ways, and each report provides comparative data. On the completion of the service, you will receive an educational report. This will assist professionals interested in supporting the student with their educational opportunities.

 

The report will feature:

 

? | A summary of educational, medical and developmental history
? | An outline of the tests administered to the child or young adult
? | Results of these tests in regards to the child or young adult
? | Outline specific strategies to enhance their learning ability

 

Career & Work Reports

Discover whether you’ve got the right skill sets to achieve your career goals.

 

Entering the workplace, reconsidering your career or facing uncertainty about your career options? The data allows you to identify your strengths and weaknesses to develop the core skills needed to succeed. We also provide services to private individuals and organisations.

 

Employers that use standardised recruitment profile tests:

 

? | Fire Services
? | Medical Professions
? | Military
? | Private Industries

 

Court Reports

Admissible to the court, reports include extensive data to validate or discredit a legal argument.

 

Working within an ethical framework, we provide services to legal establishments. These include solicitors, barristers, child safety services, legal advocacy teams and private individuals. The assessments used depend upon the purpose of the case and the legal argument at hand.

 

Court reports can be used to validate the following and more:

 

? | Family Law
? | Driving Competency
? | Mental & Psychological Wellbeing
? | General Intelligence & Ability

 

Looking for an autism test? Get in contact!

We test children, adolescents, adults, and we can test YOU . . .

 

At Educational Assessments, our psychologists carry out full cognitive assessments. These provide essential learning and performance data to bolster support for individuals. If you believe that you or a loved one is struggling, get in touch. We have extensive coverage in Australia.

 

Our team of expert consultants conduct home visits to assess you or your child and evaluate the patient’s learning needs to succeed. We evaluate an extensive range of learning, social and emotional issues. The knowledge gleaned from our assessments and subsequent report permit you to make informed choices. So, if you want to find the best way forwards that’s suited to you or your child’s learning needs, then this is the answer.

 

We offer clear, jargon-free advice, consistent personal support and offer valuable expertise. So, if you want an autism test, don’t delay. Simply get in touch today.

We can test if you or your child has:

Autism

ADHD/ADD

Dyslexia

Emotional, Behavioural & Learning Disorders

And more