Diagnosing ASD can be difficult since there is no medical test, like a blood test, to diagnose the disorder. Doctors look at the child’s behavior and development to make a diagnosis. ASD can sometimes be detected at 18 months of age or younger. By age 2, a diagnosis by an experienced professional can be considered reliable.1 However, many children do not receive a final diagnosis until they are much older. Some people are not diagnosed until they are adolescents or adults. This delay means that people with ASD might not get the early help they need.
A diagnosis of ASD will also include a classification based on the level of support the person requires. The 3 levels are:
level 1: people requiring support
level 2: people requiring substantial support
level 3: people more severely affected and requiring very substantial support
1 Current treatments for ASD seek to reduce symptoms that interfere with daily functioning and quality of life. ASD affects each person differently, meaning that people with ASD have unique strengths and challenges and different treatment needs.
2 Treatment plans usually involve multiple professionals and are catered to the individual.