High-functioning autism, often referred to as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) without intellectual disability is diagnosed through a detailed, multi-step evaluation. There is no single medical test. Instead, diagnosis focuses on behavior, communication, and developmental history.
The process usually begins when a parent, teacher, or healthcare provider notices consistent differences in social interaction, communication, or behavior. These may include difficulty with social cues, rigid routines, intense interests, or sensory sensitivities, while language and cognitive skills may appear age-appropriate.
A licensed professional such as a developmental pediatrician, psychologist, or neurologist conducts a comprehensive assessment. This typically includes parent interviews, standardized screening tools, direct observation, and developmental questionnaires. In many cases, tools like the ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) are used to evaluate social communication and behavioral patterns.
Importantly, a diagnosis can happen at any age. Some children are diagnosed early, while others especially those with milder traits may not be identified until school age or later.
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SOURCES:
https://www.wpspublish.com/ados-2-autism-diagnostic-observation-schedule-second-edition
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5813679
https://www.massgeneral.org/children/autism/lurie-center/autism-diagnostic-observation-schedulesecond-edition-ados2
https://www.research.chop.edu/car-autism-roadmap/autism-diagnostic-observation-schedule-2nd-edition-ados-2
https://bedslutonchildrenshealth.nhs.uk/neurodiversity-support/neurodevelopmental-assessment-and-diagnosis-process/autism-diagnostic-observation-schedule-ados-assessment
