MILD
ASD DIAGNOSIS
ASD (Mild) is defined as a neurological delay which involves language and social functioning. Repetitive and rigid patterns of behavior are involved. Some of the common symptoms displayed by people with ASD (Mild) are: not picking up on social cues such as when to end a conversation, not understanding how to have a balanced conversation, talking and never making a point, talking in a monologue, lack of empathy, lack of physical balance, repetitive speech patterns, daydreaming and hyper sensitivity to sensory input such as loud noise or bright light.
​
The following information is how I became diagnosed with ASD (Mild). I hope this information can help you or your family member/loved one with practical steps towards diagnosis.
​
​
First the parent or adult who thinks they have ASD goes to their doctor and gets a referral to an autism center that is a part of a medical school. (At the end of this tab there is a list of autism centers or institutes attached to research universities in the United States).
For the diagnosis appointment, a child needs to be accompanied by parent/ parents and an adult needs to bring a brother or sister that is mature and has a good memory of how the patient behaved as a child as well as an adult.
There are two parts to the appointment. The first part is an interview by a doctor who is an autism specialist with the parents or sibling of the patient. The doctor is looking for symptoms and behaviors of ASD. The second part of the diagnosis the patient is interview by a resident or medical student while the doctor observes the interview through a two way mirror. The doctor is looking for ASD symptoms or behaviors. For example, does the patient make eye contact with the interviewer. The doctor also looks for repetitive behaviors associated with ASD, like rocking back and forth and swinging a leg. Also the doctor observe the speech of the patient for signs of language dysfunction like repeating sentences and talking without reaching the point.
Once the interview is over, the diagnosis is given. If the patient has ASD, they are given a designation like “mild” for example. The person is then welcomed as a patient and given a follow up appointment and an opportunity to join studies.
Please note if you are a parent of a young child your doctor may refer you to a doctor who diagnose ASD in your own community.
​
Autism has a broad spectrum, with the publication of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or (DSMV) for short, the term Asperger’s Syndrome has been retired. All of Autism is now referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), with a designation to show where the person is on the spectrum.
​
​
Centers for Diagnosis
​
Boston University Autism Center
www.bu.edu/autism/current-research/austism-center-of-excellence
Center for Excellence in Autism Research at the university of Pittsburgh
www.wpic.pitt.edu/research/cefar
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Center for Autism Research
www.research.chop.edu/program/car
Cody Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities
www.stonybrookmedicalcenter.org/codycenter
Douglas Developmental Disabilities Center at Rutgers
​
​
Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development
Duke University School of Medicine
2608 Erwin Rd., Suite 300,
Durham , NC 27705
919 687 4686 ext. 240
Indiana Resource Center for Autism
www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php/page1d=32
Lurie Center for Autism at Mass General Hospital for Children
www.massgeneral.org/chldren/services/treatmentprograms.aspx?id=1614
New York-Presbyterian Center for Autism and the dDeveloping Brain
Seattle Children’s Autism Center
www.seattlechildrens.org/clinics-programs/autism-center
​
​
Seaver Autism Center at Mount Sinai
http://www.icahn.mssm.edu/research/centers/seaver-autism-center
Southwest Autism Resource and Research Center
UC Davis Mind Institute
www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/mindunsititute
UCLA Center for Autism Research and Treatment (CART)
UCLA Peers Clinic
UCSB Koegel Autism Center
http://www.education.ucsb.edu/autism
UCSF Autism and Neurodevelopment Program
https://www.psych.ucsf.edu/qutism
University of Cambridge Autism Research Center
University of Louisville Autism Center
https://www.louisville.edu/autism
University of Miami Center for Autism and Related Disabilities
University of Michigan Autism and Communication Disorders Center
University of North Dakota Global Rural Autism Asperger Information Network (GRAAIN)
UT Southwestern Autism Center
www.utsouthwestern.edu/education/medicschool/departments/psychiatry/autism/index.html
University of Washington Autism Center
http://www.depts.washington.edu/uwautism/index.php
Vanderbilt Treatment andResearch Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders
http://www.kc.vanderbilt.edu/triad
Waisman Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
www.waisman.wisc.edu/clinics-asd-dd.htm
Yale Child Study Center Autism Program
​
​
​
​
Helpful Books on the Diagnosis of ASD
Faherty C (2000) “What Does it Mean to Me?” Future Horizons, Arlington, TX.
Tullemans A. (2004) “Talking to Family and Friends” Redcliffe, QLD Australia, DJ Publishers
Bleach F. (2001) “Everybody is Different” London, The National Autistic Society
​
Helpful Books on Remediation and Social Skill Development
Berry J. (1996) “Let’s Talk About Being Helpful”, New York: Scholastic Inc.
Brandenberg A. (1995) “Communication: is Telling and Listening.” London, Mammoth
American Girl Library (1996) “The Care and Keeping of Friends” Middleton WI Pleasant Company publications
Beck T.A. (1994) “Building Healthy Friendships: Teaching Friendship Skills to Young People”, Saratoga, CA. R and E Publishers
Carol Gray, (2010) The New Social Story Book”, revised and expanded 10th anniversary edition. Arlington, TX: Future Horizons
​
Books on Social Skills Programs
Carter M. and Santomauro J (2004) “Space Travellers”,
Kansas Autism Asperger Publishing Company
​
Books on Emotional Management
​
Dunn Buron K and Curtis M (2003) “The Incredible 5 Point Scale”, Kansas Autism Asperger Publishing Company
Attwood T (2004) “Exploring Feelings: Cognitive Behavior Therapy to Manage Anger”, Arlington, TX. Future Horizons
Books on Autism Spectrum Disorder or (ASD)
​
Tony Attwood (2007) “The Complete Guide to Asperger’s Syndrome” London, Kingsley
“A Parents’ Guide to High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder”, by Sally Ozonoff, PhD, Geraldine Dawson, PhD, and James C McPartland, PhD The Guilford Press New York
​
A Parent's Guide to High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder: How to Meet the Challenges and Help Your Child Thrive. Written by: Sakyy Ozonous, PhD, Geraldine Dawson, PhD, and James C. McPartland, PhD Copyright 2015
Books on Bullying
Nick Dubin, (2007) “Asperger Syndrome and Bullying, Strategies and Solutions”, London: Kingsley
​
Software
AppyMall: Apps for kids www.appymall.com
Autism Speaks App Resource list www.autismspeaks.org/autism-apps
Choiceworks www.beevisual.com
Websites for ASD Resources
Mind Institute www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/mindinstitute
Autism Speaks www.autismspeaks.org
Children Friendship Training www.semel.ucla.edu/socialskills
Academic Medical Centers and Clinics
UC Davis Mind Institute www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/mindinstitute
UCLA Center for Autism Research and Treatment (CART) www.semel.ucla.edu/autism
UCLA Peers Clinic www.semel.ucla.edu/peers