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Preparing for your appointment

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

It's a good idea to be well prepared for your child's appointment. Here's some information that may help you get ready.

What you can do

• Write down all the changes that you and others have observed in your child's behavior. The specialist will examine your child carefully and monitor growth and development, but your daily observations are also extremely important.
• Make a list of any medications, including vitamins, herbs and over-the-counter medicines, that your child is taking.
• If possible, bring a family member or friend with you. This is important not just to help you remember information but also for emotional support.
• If you have a baby book record of developmental milestones for your child, bring that record.
• If your child has unusual behaviors or movements recorded on a video, bring the video.
• If your child has siblings, try to remember when his or her siblings began talking and reaching other developmental milestones, and share that information with your child's doctor.
• Tell your child's doctor about any observations from other adults and caregivers, such as baby sitters and teachers.

Write down questions that you want to ask your child's doctor. Don't be afraid to ask questions or to speak up when you don't understand something that's said. And if you run out of time, ask to speak with a nurse or physician assistant, or leave a message for the doctor. 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?
• Can I take care of my child at home, or will I need to look for outside care?
• What kind of special therapies 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. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your child's doctor may ask:

• What specific behaviors prompted your visit today?
• When did you first notice these symptoms in your child?
• Have these behaviors been continuous or occasional?
• Does your child have a family history of autism, language delay, Rett's syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety or other mood disorders?
• Does your child have any other symptoms that might seem unrelated to autism, such as gastrointestinal 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?
• What are some of your child's favorite activities? Is there one that he or she favors?
• Have you noticed a change in his or her level of frustration in social settings?

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