How to Administer the PDD Autism Screening Questionnaire

Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) is the most commonly known form of autism. PDD has no known cure. However, with early detection through proper screening tests and diagnosis, the individual's quality of life can be improved dramatically. While this is not a life-threatening disorder, proper medication and therapy may improve the social and behavioral aspects of an autistic child's life.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Assessment scale
• Paper and pencil
• 5 to 15 minutes of time to administer test
• Social communication questionnaire

1. Research and learn the criteria that define autism. This should be done before the screening. The criteria for autism deal with impairment in three areas including social behavior, speech behavior and repetitive stereotype behavior. This is according to the DSM-IV, a tool used by doctors to diagnose patients.
2. Take your child to a licensed medical professional to obtain the initial autism examination. This examination will be in the form of an autism screening questionnaire. Once this is completed, you as a parent will also need to take an assessment so medical professionals can gather more information on your family dynamics.
3. Complete the online PDD assessment scale (see Resources below). This online form will take 5 to 10 minutes to fill out. The results will be calculated for you seconds after completing the online form. This tool will guide you as a parent in determining your child's future medical needs. Print the results to take with you to the pediatrician.
4. Print a copy of the form for yourself and your spouse. Both parents should complete their own forms in separate rooms. This method for completing the forms will give you two views of the same situation. When each parent has completed the forms, complete the questionnaire online to calculate the score for each parent.
5. Administer the Social Communication Questionnaire. This test is most useful and complementary to the PDD autism screening questionnaire in determining social interaction and language development. For example, a child with PDD will in most cases say "I" when what they mean to say is "we." In severe cases a child with PDD will not speak at all.

Tips & Warnings

• While the questionnaire can help you as a parent determine your child's symptoms, the test is not designed to act as a diagnosis. It is designed to help parents determine whether a doctor is required for their child's needs.