Things You'll Need:
- Trained Clinician
- PDDST downloaded and printed
- Psychologist
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Step 1
Consult the DSM-IV to learn the criteria for a diagnosis of autism and pervasive developmental disorders before you administer the screening test. The DSM-IV is the manual put together by the American Psychological Association and is kept up to date with all criteria necessary for diagnosis. This should be the first step taken before any test is conducted.
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Step 2
Determine that your child's mental deficiencies are truly autistic in nature before you administer the test. If a child has mental retardation or language disorders that are not autistic he may still score high on testing. This could label him autistic and result in years of unnecessary, costly treatments that will not improve his life.
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Step 3
Download the free screening test online (see Resources below). The test contains 71 items and 3 levels and should take only 5 to 10 minutes to complete. Find a quiet place to complete the test. If both parents are involved in the child's upbringing, they should take the test separately. This will allow for further discussion if the scores differ greatly.
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Step 4
Follow up with a clinician and psychologist immediately following the test to determine the next step. Currently there are a few resources for you to use on your own to help your child's development. Once the test is complete and a score is rendered, it is important to discuss the outcome and future options with an expert on autism, allowing you to gather a list of treatment options for your child.
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Step 5
Take copies of the test you completed and any records from your child's doctors and bring them to the school your child attends. Ask them to keep this information on record when developing learning curriculums.
