Detecting Children who "Fly Under the Radar": The Role of the Neuropsychologist in Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)-Slides: The Role of the Neuropsychologist in Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Slides: The Role of the Neuropsychologist in Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Pdf Summary

The document discusses the challenges in diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in children who &quot;fly under the radar,&quot; and the role of neuropsychologists in this process. It highlights how some children, especially girls, may present symptoms differently than expected, often leading to misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. Girls might showcase better early vocabulary, social behavior, and imitation skills, which can mask ASD symptoms. Additionally, common diagnostic tools and rating scales are often not sensitive enough to detect these nuanced presentations, contributing to clinicians' oversight.<br /><br />The discussion addresses changes in the DSM-5 criteria for ASD, which have collapsed various diagnoses into one spectrum and altered symptoms categorization, potentially complicating diagnosis. Neuropsychological evaluations are deemed essential for understanding individual strengths and weaknesses and recognizing comorbid conditions, aiding educational planning and capturing subtle symptoms often missed by &quot;gold standard&quot; tests like ADOS-2 and SRS-2. The document underscores the need for gender-sensitive evaluation measures, as traditional tests are often normed on boys.<br /><br />Moreover, the text stresses that ASD affects more than social communication, impacting broader areas like sensory differences, language skills, and cognitive functions. It suggests using a range of assessments to fill gaps, such as the SLDT for language and ACS for social cognition. It also proposes new rating scales like the Scale for Autism in Females (SAF) and emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive approach to diagnosis, incorporating both clinical observations and tailored assessments. The document concludes with a resource list for professionals seeking to enhance their understanding of ASD diagnostics.

Keywords

Autism Spectrum Disorder

neuropsychologists

misdiagnosis

DSM-5 criteria

gender-sensitive evaluation

social communication

sensory differences

ADOS-2

Scale for Autism in Females

comprehensive diagnosis