Autism Screenings and Assessments
Public schools are required by law to identify all children with disabilities, including those with autism spectrum disorders (AU) (IDEA, 2004).
Early identification is key because early treatment leads to better outcomes (Dawson & Osterling, 1997; Eikeseth, Smith, Jahr, & Eldevik, 2007). Although it is often difficult to suggest to staff and parents that a child may have an autism spectrum disorder, there is a significant risk to failing to recognize the disorder and provide intervention when it is present.
The process of evaluating for autism spectrum disorders is complex and cannot be reduced to a single score from a single test. Freeman, Cronin, and Candela (2002) highlight that “rating scales were not designed to be used in isolation to make a diagnosis.
They are useful to the clinician, but are only one source of qualitative information for a comprehensive clinical assessment” (p. 148). Accurate identification of autism spectrum disorder requires analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data from a number of sources.
As such, a quality assessment is dependent on the clinician – the most important component of any evaluation process.
This section discusses the importance of a thorough developmental history and reviews autism screening and assessment tools.
Did You Know?
• Autism spectrum disorders are not rare. They are more prevalent in children “than cancer, diabetes, spina bifida, and Down syndrome” (Filipek et al., 1999, p. 440).
• A growing body of research suggests that autism can be accurately diagnosed by age 2 (Bishop et al., 2008; Charman & Baird, 2002).
• Diagnosis of autism at age 2 is accurate and stable over time (Charman et al., 2005; Eaves & Ho, 2004; Lord et al., 2006; Turner et al., 2006).
Meanwhile at Jamaica's Autism Splash on November 7 and 8 -2011 -The Rural Agricultural Development Authority's Home Economics and Social Services team will be at Autism Splash advising about the options available to persons who would like to be trained in our viable and growing cottage industry operations, even though the target audience will be parents of disabled people who need to make money while staying home this is a great opportunity for able bodied persons now unemployed and who need a job, the training we offer at RADA is free to you in Jamaica, next year all our Caribbean friends can book and come and celebrate and share!
Also remember Dance Hall Legend Don Yute will break a half a decade hiatus of performing here in his home land Jamaica - to perform at Autism Splash this Monday and Tuesday, Nov 7 and 8 -2011 - at the Emancipation park in Kingston Jamaica - debuting his new tracks with Sean Paul and Pitbull et al...and drawing for some old time favourites.
There will be spot prize giveaways of Maia's Take to people who can answer the right questions, as well as free eye screenings by the Lions Club of Mona presentations by specialists and parents and the Susan Simes show will be filming at the event on Monday-, November 7 so be there to give your views Autism Splash a way to help sick Jamaicans!
You'll find out where the schools and therapies are and get a chance to sign up for follow up help to help you live with Autism in Jamaica.
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