Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that begins in early childhood, primarily affecting children’s social communication, language development, and behavioral patterns. Without timely diagnosis, children often miss the critical intervention period, affecting lifelong development. Current diagnosis mainly relies on behavioral characteristics, parental interviews, and standardized assessment tools, conducted through comprehensive evaluation and judgment by specialists.

Diagnostic Basis

1. Behavioral observation as a fundamental method

The most basic method for autism diagnosis is direct clinical observation of a child’s behavior. Physicians typically assess whether the child can make eye contact, actively express emotions, and show interest in people or objects. For example, whether the child responds to their own name or imitates others’ actions are important criteria.

2. Parental interviews provide core information

Parental observations are critical for assessment. Physicians inquire in detail about the child’s developmental history, social behavior, language development, and abnormal behavior patterns. For example: whether there has been language regression, whether emotions are easily disrupted, or whether the child rigidly adheres to specific routines. These perspectives help doctors make comprehensive judgments.

3. Developmental assessment scales assist in judgment

Commonly used clinical tools include the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), and Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R). These scales provide standardized scores for social, language, and behavioral dimensions, helping physicians determine severity and diagnostic accuracy.

4. Multidisciplinary collaborative diagnosis

Due to the complexity of autism symptoms, often accompanied by language delay, sensory integration disorder, or attention deficit, diagnosis usually requires joint evaluation by pediatrics, psychiatry, rehabilitation, and psychology departments. Some children may also need neuroimaging or genetic testing to further rule out comorbidities or potential causes.

5. Excluding other developmental disorders

During diagnosis, it is particularly important to differentiate autism from intellectual disability, language disorders, and ADHD. Physicians will observe whether the child understands but cannot express, or engages in social interaction but with inappropriate behaviors, to ensure diagnostic accuracy and clarify intervention direction.

6. Age factors and developmental trajectory

Autism diagnosis should consider the child’s age and symptom persistence. If symptoms such as language regression, social indifference, or restricted interests persist for more than six months before age three, autism should be highly suspected. Symptom presentation varies by age: school-age children often show social withdrawal and restricted interests, while adolescents may have emotional disturbances.

7. Pre-assessment for stem cell therapy

In some clinical explorations, stem cell therapy for autism has become a frontier direction. Before undergoing stem cell therapy, children need strict neuropsychological evaluation and behavioral scale assessments to determine suitability for this precision intervention. This ensures safety and facilitates later efficacy monitoring and personalized treatment planning.

Conclusion

Experts at United Life International Medical Center point out that autism diagnosis should be based on comprehensive evaluation and individualized analysis. The earlier autism is identified, the greater the chance of improving symptoms during the golden intervention period and enhancing children’s social adaptability. Parents noticing abnormalities should seek professional help as early as possible to avoid delays.