Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects children's social, language and behavior. Early identification and screening are essential to provide effective intervention and help. Parents play a vital role in this process. This article will detail how parents can participate in autism screening, master the key points of autism identification, and help children develop better.

1. Understand the common characteristics of autism spectrum disorder

Social disorders: children may avoid eye contact, lack interaction with others, and will not actively participate in group activities.

Delayed language development: speech development lags behind, and may not be able to clearly express their needs until the age of three.

Repetitive behavior: like to repeat certain actions or behaviors, such as shaking the body, lining up items, repeating certain words, etc.

Resistance to change: showing great anxiety or discomfort with small changes in daily life.

Narrow interests: showing abnormal interest and attention to certain specific things or activities.

2. Participating in early screening is the key

Early screening is a key link in identifying autism. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all children be screened for autism at 9, 18, and 24 months of age. Parents should pay attention to their children's developmental milestones and communicate with doctors or professional organizations in a timely manner.

Important screening tools:

M-CHAT (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers)

ASQ (Ages and Stages Questionnaires)

The following are the 20 test questions of M-CHAT and their scoring criteria. Yes: 0 points, No: 1 point. Children with higher scores may need further professional evaluation.

1. Does the child show interest in any new objects or people?

Yes / No

2. Does the child often look at you with his eyes?

Yes / No

3. Does the child smile while looking at other people's faces?

Yes / No

4. Can the child make gestures, such as pointing or waving?

Yes / No

5. Does the child look at you with his eyes when you want an object?

Yes / No

6. Does the child imitate your actions or expressions?

Yes / No

7. Is the child interested in sharing toys or things with others?

Yes / No

8. Does the child like to make eye contact with parents or caregivers?

Yes / No

9. Does the child like to follow others, especially parents?

Yes / No

10. Does the child show affectionate behaviors toward parents or caregivers, such as hugging or kissing?

Yes / No

11. Can the child use the toy by himself, such as pushing a cart or turning a wheel?

Yes / No

12. Does the child like to turn books or papers and look at pictures?

Yes / No

13. Does the child show a very strong interest in an object or activity?

Yes / No

14. Does the child like toys that have repetitive movements, such as lining up objects in a row or spinning toys?

Yes / No

15. Can the child stand or sit?

Yes / No

16. Is the child able to carry out independent activities without help?

Yes / No

17. Can the child understand simple instructions such as "Come here" or "Give me the ball"?

Yes / No

18. Can the child turn his head to look at the source of the sound?

Yes / No

19. Does the child show different reactions to different sounds?

Yes / No

20. Does the child dislike or avoid eye contact?

Yes / No

M-CHAT result score:

0-2 points: The child has a low risk of autism and usually does not need further evaluation.

3-7 points: This score means that the child may show some autistic characteristics, and it is recommended to consult a doctor for further evaluation.

8 points and above: The child has a significant risk of autism and needs to undergo a professional diagnostic evaluation as soon as possible for early intervention and support.

3. Collaboration with professionals

Parents need to actively cooperate with professional doctors, psychologists or developmental disability experts to jointly evaluate the child's development.

4. Seek early intervention and support

If the screening results indicate that the child may be at risk for autism spectrum disorder, parents should actively seek early intervention. Studies have shown that early intervention can significantly improve the social skills, language skills and behavioral performance of children with autism.

Behavioral therapy: such as applied behavior analysis (ABA), can help children learn how to interact with others and improve social skills.

Speech therapy: Helps improve language skills and communication skills.

Social skills training: Helps children learn how to connect with others and understand social rules.

5. Active participation in screening and treatment

The active participation of parents has a direct impact on the effectiveness of screening and treatment. Parents should not only understand the screening process, but also actively participate in the treatment and rehabilitation process and provide daily support for their children.

Regular follow-up: Make sure to attend follow-up screening on time and keep abreast of the child's development.

Parent education: Participate in parent training courses to learn how to better interact with children and help them achieve greater progress.

Summary

Early screening and identification of autism spectrum disorder is essential. Parents' active participation and support play a key role in the early intervention and treatment of children. By understanding the symptoms of autism, participating in professional screening, recording children's behaviors and seeking early intervention, parents can not only help their children get support earlier, but also provide more help in their children's growth. Every child is unique, and early identificat