Autism Parent Training - 2 Autism Screening Tools That Every Parent Should Know About!

Autism Parent Trainingscored, and a determination of pass or fail is
In 2007 the Center for Disease Control's Autismgiven. Children who fail are rescreened in one
and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Networkmonth, and if they fail again should be referred to
(ADDM) discovered which 1 in 150 8 year olds ina specialty Dr. or Clinic for further testing. Autism
different features of the nation hold an AutismParent Training
Spectrum Disorder. Years ago autism was2. CARS Childhood Autism Rating Scale is a 15
declared to crop up in 4 to 5 per 10,000. Thisitem behavior Rating Scale that helps to identify
means that the prevalence of autism haschildren with Autism and to distinguish them from
increased to epidemic levels in the persist a largeother children with a disability. Professionals such
amount of years. This is the reason why mostas physicians, special educators (after age 3),
any parent needs to be educated around autismschool psychologists, speech pathologists and
screening tools, in case their child is showing signsaudiologists who have had only minimal exposure
of autism. Autism Parent Trainingto Autism, can easily be trained to use the CARS.
This article will discuss 2 autism screening toolsThis is one of the reasons that I like it so much, it
the I provide are many effective in diagnosingdoes not take lengthy training before use.
autism. Autism is a complex developmentalEach of the 15 items covers a particular
disability that usually appears during the first threecharacteristic, ability, or behavior. The person
years of a child's life. It is defined by a unique setperforming the CARS will ask the parents
of behaviors and is considered a "spectrumquestions. based on the 15 items. The parents
disorder." What this means is that a child can haveanswers will be used to give the child a score.
different symptoms that go across a spectrum.Children who score above a given point are
Autism is often diagnosed by physicians, healthcategorized as having autism. The CARS also
care workers, or special education personnel.gives a determination if the child has mild,
Two effective screening tools to diagnose autismmoderate, or severe autism, based on the child's
are the CHAT which stands for the Checklist forscore on the CARS.
Autism in Toddlers, and the CARS which standsThis is a wonderful bonus for parents because it
for the Childhood Autism Rating Scale. Both will behelps them understand what their child's needs are
discussed now, as well as who can use theserelated to having autism. By understanding what
tools to diagnose autism.effective autism screening tools are available,
1. CHAT Checklist for Autism in Toddlers is aparents will be able to ask their Doctor to use
short questionnaire which is filled out by theone of the screening tools, if they are concerned.
parents and a primary health care worker (usuallyIf your child fails either of these tests, you should
the child's Doctor). The CHAT is recommended totake them to a specialty clinic or physician, who is
be given to all children at their 18 month check up.experienced in treating children with autism.
The Chat consists of two sections: the first nineThey should order a complete battery of tests to
items are questions answered by the parents anddetermine what your child's strengths and
the last five items are observations made by theweaknesses are, as well as what special education
primary health care worker. These items look atservices they need. Do not take these screening
behaviors which if absent at 18 months, put atools in lieu of further testing, but it will help you
child at risk for a social-communication disorder.get started. Good Luck! Don't let your child suffer
These behaviors are: a. joint attention, includinganymore! Lead your child out of his world through
pointing to show and looking to where a parent isAutism Parent Training program now!
pointing, and b. pretend play. The items are then