Diagnosing autism

Interest and awareness of autism within public and medical domains has increased over recent years. Parental awareness has resulted in children being presented for earlier advice, assessment and diagnosis. Routes of entry for referrals can vary due to the diversity of the condition and local service provision. It is therefore necessary for paediatricians, general practitioners and allied professionals with a contributory role within developmental child health to have a sound knowledge of the presentation and assessment of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Early identification of deviation away from the typical developmental trajectory in this group of patients is advantageous in order to maximize their potential, provide targeted intervention and minimize co-morbidities. This review addresses the diagnosis of ASD and provides an assessment framework for professionals who encounter a child with suspected autism.