ASD Screening
Can you identify yourself with the following?
My son is 20 months old. The symptoms that fit on the autism spectrum are that he speaks no words but can hear fine, he flaps his hands when frustrated, and frequent tantrums. But what does not fit is that he is very social, makes a few gestures, and plays with other children appropriately. They say he is probably on the spectrum. But I’m wondering if there are other disorders with similar symptoms. Any help would be great!
This site is for families who are wondering whether their children are having difficulties with developing, communication and behaving. Our service will help you find out whether your child needs additional testing in the area of Autism Spectrum Disorders. You can do this by taking the Autism Spectrum Rating Scale (ASRS) online.
What is the ASRS?
The ASRS was designed to effectively identify symptoms, behaviours, and associated features of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) in children and adolescents aged 2 through 18. This innovative instrument, authored by the highly respected Sam Goldstein, Ph.D., and Jack A. Naglieri, Ph.D., is the only norm-referenced assessment, designed to identify symptoms, behaviours, and associated features of the full range of Autism Spectrum Disorders. This tool aids in differential diagnosis among the disorders that make up the Autism Spectrum.
Why do parents complete the ASRS?
Information from parents (or guardians) about their child’s behaviour is extremely important, as parents generally know their child better than anyone else. Parents can describe their child’s behaviours in a number of different situations, including in the home and in the community. The most common reason for using the ASRS is to better understand a child who is having difficulty and to determine how to help. Sometimes the ASRS is used for a routine check, even if there is no reason to suspect the child is struggling with a problem.
The ASRS will help you find out:
- Whether your child your child is at risk for one of the Autism Spectrum Disorders and seems to need additional testing
- Whether your child may need specialized interventions
- Whether careful observation and watchful waiting would be helpful
- Whether you and your child seem to need information about things you can do at home to help him or her learn or behave
- Whether your child seems to be coming along well and simply needs a once-a-year re-check to view his or her progress in the area of communication, developmend or behaviour.
Our tests will not be helpful if your child has already had a developmental evaluation or is in the process of receiving one, or If your child is already enrolled in therapy or other special programs.
How does the ASRS work?
After ordering a screening, parents will receive an Internet link to a protected and secure webpage. This webpage will guide them through the online assessment. The parent read 70 items, and decided how often the child displayed each behaviour in the past four weeks. The parent’s responses to these 70 statements were combined into several groups of items. Each group of items describes a certain type of behaviour (for example, socialization). The parent’s responses were compared with what is expected for children in the same age group as the parent’s child. This information helps an Autimistic Consultant know if the parent’s child is having more difficulty in a certain area than his peers. All of this information is used to determine if the parent’s child needs help in a certain area and what kind of help is needed.
Results from the ASRS
When you have completed your assessment, your Autimistic Consultant will interpret the scores and write a comprehensive report. In this report, your Autimistic Consultant will give recommendations for interventions, possible further assessment and educational strategies.
How long do I have to wait?
There is no waiting list for doing the online ASD screening. After your order has been processed, you will receive an Internet link to the assessment within 48 hours. Your report will be available within 72 hours after completing the assessment.
Reliable
Research has indicated that the results on the ASRS are very reliable when the checklists are completed with fidelity and trust. Unreliable answers on the ASRS will automatically result in an unreliable report.
What is the difference with free online screeners?
The online free screeners are all informal checklists, having parents describe symptoms. The ASRS is the only ASD Screener on the market today, backed up by years of research. It is also the only ASD screener on the market used by many health professionals in North America.
Why does Autimistic offer the screening so cheap?
Autimistic is currently only asking for $5.99 processing costs of the assessment, in order to reach out to as many people possible. After a certain number of assessments have been completed, Autimistic will raise the honorarium for the online screening of ASD to the regular price.
Is this screening done by professionals?
Autimistic only works with professionals with university degrees in education, special education and psychology. Autimistic Consultants have Master degrees in these areas, and extensive experience in education and childhood development. They work as special education consultants or as psychologists in North America.
COMPLETING THE ASRS WILL NOT DIAGNOSE YOUR CHILD. However, scores on the ASRS have been found very reliable. Your consultant will be able to give recommendations for further assessment, and recommendations for interventions, which in most cases can be initiated and implemented at home.