• Definition
• Symptoms
• Causes
• Risk factors
• Preparing for your appointment
• Tests and diagnosis
• Treatments and drugs
• Alternative medicine
• Coping and support
• Prevention

• RSS Feeds

Preparing for your appointment

By Mayo Clinic staff

Your child's doctor will look for developmental problems at regular checkups. If your child shows any autism symptoms, he or she will likely be referred to a child psychologist, pediatric neurologist or developmental pediatrician for a thorough clinical evaluation.

What you can do
To prepare for your child's appointment:

• Bring a list of any medications, including vitamins, herbs and over-the-counter medicines, your child is taking.
• Make a list of all the changes that you and others have observed in your child's behavior.
• Bring notes of any observations from other adults and caregivers, such as baby sitters, relatives and teachers. If your child has been evaluated by an early intervention or school program, it would be helpful to bring this assessment.
• Bring a record of developmental milestones for your child, such as a baby book, if you have one.
• Bring a video of your child's unusual behaviors or movements, if you have one.
• Try to remember when your other children began talking and reaching developmental milestones, if your child has siblings, and share that information with the doctor.
• Be prepared to describe how your child plays and interacts with other children, siblings and parents.
• Bring a family member or friend with you, if possible, to help you remember information and for emotional support.

Make a list of questions that you want to ask your child's doctor. Don't be afraid to ask questions any time you don't understand something. Questions to ask might include:

• Why do you think my child does (or doesn't) have autism?
• Is there a way to confirm the diagnosis?
• If my child does have autism, is there a way to tell how severe it is?
• What changes can I expect to see in my child over time?
• What kind of special therapies or care do children with autism need?
• How much and what kinds of regular medical care will my child need?
• What kind of support is available to families of children with autism?
• How can I learn more about autism?

What to expect from your child's doctor
Your child's doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Be ready to answer them to reserve time to go over any points you want to focus on. Your doctor may ask:

• What specific behaviors prompted your visit today?
• When did you first notice these symptoms in your child? Have others noticed signs?
• Have these behaviors been continuous or occasional?
• Does your child have any other symptoms that might seem unrelated to autism, such as stomach problems?
• Does anything seem to improve your child's symptoms?
• What, if anything, appears to worsen your child's symptoms?
• When did your child first crawl? Walk? Say his or her first word?
• Does your child have delayed speech?
• What are some of your child's favorite activities? Is there one that he or she favors?
• How does your child interact with you, siblings and other children? Does your child show interest in others, make eye contact, smile or want to play with others?
• Have you noticed a change in your child's level of frustration in social settings?
• Does your child have a family history of autism, language delay, Rett syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or anxiety or other mood disorders?

• Mayo Clinic products and services

• Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 4th Edition
• Give today to find cures for tomorrow

Mayo Clinic Store

Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic.

• Try Mayo Clinic Health Letter FREE!
• Improve heart health in just 10 minutes a day
• Heartburn, ulcers, IBS? Try Mayo Clinic on Digestive Health
• The Mayo Clinic Diet — Eat well. Enjoy life. Lose weight.

Register for our email service and receive a FREE Special Report!