Nisonger Center

1 to 21 years

A formal ASD diagnosis, or a medical diagnosis, helps you get the support your family needs, especially within the context of accessing medically necessary therapies and services.

• Insurance Coverage for Therapies: Medically necessary therapies for ASD are often covered by insurance including, but not limited to, speech therapy, ABA therapy, and occupational therapy. 
• Financial Support: A diagnosis is required when applying for social security or disability benefits. 
• Plan for Care: A diagnosis helps identify your child’s support needs. For example, your child might need to develop social communication and self-regulation skills.
• Future Research: The more data we gather through evaluations, the more we can improve services for autistic children and adults.

Check out Autism Diagnosis: The Complete Guide for Parents for more information.

1 in 36 children is diagnosed with autism according to the latest reports.

Here are some reasons why:

• Medical professionals understand autism better. More doctors are trained to test for autism and other developmental and language delays.  
• The definition of autism has evolved in recent years which means that an autism diagnosis covers more conditions to help more people get the services they need.

For more information check out Common autism diagnosis questions: Answers from Dr. Melanie Hsu

Yes, but there is room for improvement. We don’t have a single, perfect diagnostic tool for autism and there are a lot of factors that contribute to an accurate diagnosis. There are a few “gold standards” that are used for diagnosis.

If you’re interested in understanding the non-verbal experience, we recommend watching The Reason I Jump. If you’re looking for a movie that can help your child understand their emotions, many neurodiverse families love Inside Out. Check out our autism-friendly movie guide here.

For both a scientific and personal look at autism, we recommend reading But You Don’t Look Autistic At All by Bianca Toeps. Check out our full book guide for more great reads.

Hero Elementary is great for the young ones. Songs for Littles is excellent for toddlers learning how to talk. And Ranking of Kings is a great option for anime and fantasy fans. See our full list of the best TV shows about autism and inclusion.

1. Use visual aids. You can use picture schedules, videos, social stories, and other visual aids to show your child what to expect.
2. Take your child for a practice visit. This can be the same as the orientation visit, or it can be a “dry run” of an appointment where the dentist doesn’t actually work on your child’s teeth yet.
3. Bring items to fulfill sensory needs. Bringing your child’s favorite fidgets and toys so they can play during the appointment will be helpful.
4. Reduce unnecessary stress before and after. Reduce demands by wearing comfortable clothes, getting lots of rest, eliminating unnecessary activities (like grocery shopping — order for pick up!), and doing the things that relax your child. Your child will be able to regulate better when every day stressors are kept at a minimum.