Diagnosis for Children
A guide for parents and carers
If you think your child might be autistic, a diagnosis might help both for advocacy and for your child’s own sense of self as they grow up. The first step is to speak with a professional, usually someone who already has contact with your child.
Depending on your child’s age, this might be a GP or health visitor, a teacher, or the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) at your child’s school. They can refer your child for assessment. You may also want to look up any advocacy organisations in your area, as these can often support you through the process.
Diagnostic Criteria
The criteria for an autism diagnosis are narrow and specific, despite the many actual experiences and expressions of autistic people. The clinical criteria used by professionals include:
- Persistent differences with social communication and social interaction.
- Restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviours, activities, or interests.
- These characteristics being present since early childhood.
- These experiences significantly impacting everyday life.
In a clinical setting, these traits are often framed as "deficits". This can be upsetting for parents seeking to empower their autistic children. Some parents report feeling as though they need to focus only on their child's most difficult moments to secure support, and they may fear their child hearing themselves described in that way.
It can help to make it clear to the professional you are speaking to that you want to avoid hurting your child’s feelings. They can often arrange for private discussions or ensure that sensitive correspondence is handled discreetly. Children can be diagnosed as young as two, although many are diagnosed later or even in adulthood.
The Process
The diagnosis process varies by region. Generally, after a referral, you will meet with a paediatrician or another specialist who will collect information and then refer your child on for further assessment.
This often involves meeting with a team of professionals, including speech and language therapists and psychologists. They will provide you with a written report after the assessment. Each step in this process may involve waiting times. It is important to remember that you do not need to wait for a formal diagnosis to seek support, adjustments, or advice for your child.
Sometimes the results can be disappointing, either because a diagnosis was not confirmed or because you are concerned about what a confirmed diagnosis means for the future. The most important thing to remember is that a diagnosis does not change who your child is or what they need. It is simply one tool to help you support your child as they learn to understand and accept themselves.
Need support for your family?
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