Expert: Tim Runner - 1/22/2012

Question
What age can a child be sucessly tested for autism?what are the signs of autism?ate thier classes a parent can take to learn how to patent child with autism. I am 19 and I have a 2 yea tr old son D.H.S. Has him in foster care saying I cant raise him because he has autism I want to know everything about it and what I can do as a young single parent to help my son if he really has this.please I need any information I can get.

Answer
Patrocia,

There is no set age for being able to diagnose Autism. Most medical professional have told me that they can usually tell when a child is between 2 and 3 years old. It is not something that can be properly diagnosed by reading a list of the signs of Autism. Most kids do some of the things that medical professionals look for when making their diagnoses. Currently, there is no blood test or imaging test for Autism. It gets more difficult because it is called the Autism Spectrum for good reason. There are different ways that Autism exists in people including levels of severity.

Most states have special early intervention programs for Autistic kids. Here in California, there is a special set of non-profits, called Regional Centers, that provide early diagnoses and services. Then when the child turns three, the school districts take over. Depending on the severity of the Autism, kids can require all kinds of services including special services. There are many great websites that can give you information. Just Google Autism, but don't believe all you see, especially about you diagnosing your son. You also need to discuss all this with your Social Worker to see what educational programs are available for you. Ask them what you are going to have to do to regain custody of your son in the future.

I wish you and your son the best,
Tim Runner, Advocate
Advocates for Kids
Email: timrunner@gmail.com
Phone: (949) 582-3601
You can learn more at my web site:
www.special-education-answers.com