The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) is an assessment that can be done for individuals who have shown some common signs of being on the autism spectrum. It’s often an assessment for children, but adults can also benefit from it to receive a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Autism doesn’t have a specific medical test for a diagnosis. So, health professionals rely on things like the ADOS to help them better understand conditions like autism and make more concrete diagnoses.

Let’s take a closer look at this assessment, what to expect from it, and how it can be beneficial if you’ve considered that your child might be on the autism spectrum.

Who Is the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule For?

Again, almost anyone can benefit from the ADOS. Children as young as one year can undergo the assessment, as can adults of any age.

One of the reasons why the ADOS is so effective across a lifespan is that it includes several different modules. It’s designed to meet an individual based on their appropriate language ability. That can be especially helpful and reassuring for parents of young children. Once your child develops appropriate sensory and motor skills, issues like hearing impairment or blindness can be ruled out as causes for certain symptoms. This test can help determine whether they’re on the spectrum by implementing assessments that are appropriate for their age.

An early autism diagnosis will allow for early intervention. You can make sure your child receives the services they need for developmental skills, social skills, and more.

What to Expect

One of the benefits of the ADOS is that it is a fairly quick method of evaluation. Most assessments last about 30-60 minutes.

A clinician will examine the individual’s behavior during that time. If a child is undergoing the assessment, they’ll typically go through things like play-based activities. Their communication skills, how they interact with others, how they follow instructions, and more are taken into consideration. Clinicians will specifically look at things like eye contact, body movement, gestures, and language abilities.

Older children and adults will undergo similar observations. As an adult, you might not be asked to play with toys to get a proper assessment, but you might be asked to follow instructions and complete tasks. You’ll also likely have to answer simple questions, like how your day is going.

Is the ADOS a Definitive Diagnosis?

Many people consider the autism diagnostic observation schedule to be the gold standard when it comes to assessment for individuals on the spectrum. However, it’s not a standalone evaluation.

Instead, the ADOS is typically just a part of a more comprehensive evaluation process. However, it can steer you in the right direction, mainly because you’ll typically talk through a follow-up with the clinician. They’ll be able to provide insight into their observations and help you with the next steps when it comes to what they recommend.

Understanding an Autism Diagnosis

If your child undergoes ADOS and other evaluations to determine whether they are on the autism spectrum, it’s important to prepare yourself. Now is the time to educate yourself on what autism might mean for your family. Seek out resources that can help your child (and/or you) develop and grow in healthy, productive ways. Reaching out to other families with kids on the spectrum or support groups going through the same thing can also be beneficial.

Again, the ADOS isn’t a standalone, definitive way to diagnose someone with autism. But, if you want to learn more about what to expect and whether it’s right for you, your child, or another family member, please reach out for more information about our child therapy services.

According to the CDC, more than 75 million people across the globe are on the autism spectrum. In the United States, 1 in 36 children receive an autism diagnosis, with the number consistently on the rise.

We typically associate autism with children because it’s often diagnosed at an early age. Unfortunately, some people on the spectrum don’t receive an official diagnosis until later in life. While a diagnosis at any time can be helpful, the importance of early diagnosis for autism should be more fully understood, especially if you’re concerned that your child might be on the spectrum.

With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at why early diagnosis is so important.

Early Intervention

Perhaps one of the most important reasons an early diagnosis is so crucial is that it allows treatment to begin much sooner.

Early intervention, especially when it comes to a child with autism, can improve their overall developmental outcome. Once a child receives a diagnosis, they can receive therapies catered to their specific needs, allowing them to learn the skills necessary to improve their overall quality of life.

A child diagnosed with autism who starts treatment right away is more likely to have an easier time accepting that treatment than an adult on the spectrum. It can have a positive impact on social skills, behavioral skills, and more.

Adaptability

Children’s brains have greater plasticity than adults. That means that they’re able to learn and adapt more readily. Early detection and treatment can increase a child’s ability to learn and adapt. Because the brain is still forming, early intervention can target core deficits in language formation, social communication, and behavioral challenges that can lead to greater independence in adulthood.

That isn’t to say an adult can’t learn those skills later in life. However, again, it will be a challenge. Their brains are hardwired differently by that point.

Familial Support

No matter a person’s age, when they receive an autism diagnosis, having a support system around them is crucial. Of course, an adult can (and should) have a support system of family and friends. But, children are often more naturally surrounded by those built-in familial systems.

Parents, grandparents, and other caregivers can give kids the love and support they need to alleviate stress and provide help and guidance as they navigate daily challenges and try to overcome obstacles.

Recognizing the Signs of Autism

One reason why some people don’t receive an autism diagnosis until later in life is that the signs aren’t always as obvious as you might think. Unfortunately, there are a lot of stereotypes surrounding people on the spectrum. All those tropes make it more difficult for the everyday person to recognize the real signs of a problem.

As a parent or caregiver, make sure you’re looking for things like delays in your child’s language development. Do they have trouble socializing? Do they avoid eye contact when speaking to you or anyone else? People with autism aren’t always non-verbal, and when the signs are subtle, you might think you should ignore them. If you’re concerned that your child might be showing signs of autism, don’t hesitate to get an evaluation or talk to a professional who can help.

Understanding the importance of early diagnosis for autism can ensure your child gets the help they deserve quickly, setting them on a path for success now and in the future. Contact me for more information about child therapy or any questions about what to expect from an evaluation that can help with autism. This is not a path you have to walk alone.

As a parent, it’s not easy to think that your child might be struggling mentally. Unfortunately, it’s a reality for so many families across the country. According to the American Psychological Association, up to 20 million youths in our country could currently be diagnosed with a mental health condition.

Some stress or sadness might be nothing to worry about. But there’s a fine line between normal feelings and behaviors and mental health issues. Understanding when it’s time to get your child help is important for their overall well-being.

So, how do you know when that line is crossed? When is it time to get your child mental health help? Let’s look at a few key signs to help you make that determination.

Signs of Mental Health Issues

You know your child better than anyone, so it’s probably easy to tell when their behaviors change. While some changes might be normal as they try to understand and process emotions, certain things should be considered red flags.

Some of the most common signs of mental health issues in children include persistent sadness lasting longer than two weeks, changes in their personality, sleep issues, difficulty concentrating, or angry outbursts.

Your child also might suddenly want to withdraw from people and things they love. Isolation can be a glaring sign of anxiety or depression.

Additionally, take a look at how your child is doing in school. Have they suddenly started to complain about going? Are you hearing from their teachers? Have they started to do poorly? Since school is likely where they spend most of their time each day, their academic performance can serve as a strong indicator if something is wrong.

When Should You Seek Help?

Again, some behavioral changes are normal. Everyone has an “off” day from time to time, and you shouldn’t automatically assume the worst if your child is struggling for up to a few days.

However, if you’ve noticed persistent changes in their behavior or demeanor for several weeks, it’s time to consider treatment. For example, if your child experiences a stressful or sad event, the response might last a few days. If you notice those negative feelings lingering for weeks, something is likely lingering beneath the surface.

You should also consider professional help if your child’s demeanor or behavior impacts your family life. If their behaviors have become distressing, you shouldn’t wait to get the help your whole family deserves.

Additionally, consider how those feelings and behaviors are impacting your child. If they’re struggling in school, withdrawing from relationships, and shying away from the hobbies and activities they usually enjoy, it’s taking a toll on their quality of life. The longer that continues, the worse the mental health issues are likely to become.

Finally, take immediate action if you feel like your child’s thoughts or behaviors could be dangerous. If they’ve talked about self-harm or indicated that they don’t want to be around, take it seriously.

What Can You Do?

If any of these red flags arise, the best thing you can do for your child is to have them work with a therapist. Child therapy can help your child better understand where their emotions are coming from. Then, they’ll learn how to handle them and cope in safe and healthy ways.

Helping your child take charge of their mental health now can lead to healthier habits in the future. They’ll prioritize their mental well-being into adulthood, including practicing self-care, feeling comfortable talking about mental health issues, and more.

Don’t hesitate to ask for help if you notice any of these signs. You’re not alone; together, we can help your child work through whatever they might be dealing with.

Social media isn’t going anywhere. In fact, it seems like new platforms and trends are popping up all the time. While social media is for everyone, there’s no denying that many platforms are most popular with kids, teens, and young adults.

There’s nothing wrong with that. Social media is a great way for adolescents to stay connected with each other, keep up with trends and activities, and share fun pieces of their lives.

But, there are some downsides to social media use, especially with a younger audience.

Let’s take a closer look at how social media affects adolescent mental health and what you can do to help your child or teen deal with some of those effects.

Self-Esteem Issues

Adolescents who spend hours a day scrolling through social media platforms might start to see themselves in a negative light. Social media is often a highlight reel of people’s lives. If your teen sees an influencer living their best life with money, things, and extensive travel experiences, they might feel like they’ll never be able to have those things.

Closer to home, if your adolescent sees a friend looking “flawless” on social media, they might feel inadequate or somehow that they’re not as good as that person.

It’s rare for someone to post something negative about themselves on social media. Most are trying to publish perfect pictures and content. Unfortunately, regularly absorbing that kind of content can cause your child or teen to feel like they’re not good enough.

Sleep Issues

Most adolescents browse through social media on handheld devices like phones and tablets. Unfortunately, the blue light emanating from those devices and the stress that can come from social media consumption can create poor sleeping habits in your teen.

That serves as a sort of vicious cycle. The less adequate sleep an adolescent gets, the more likely it is that they’ll deal with mental health issues like depression or anxiety.

Cyberbullying and Digital Attacking

Bullying is nothing new in the adolescent world. However, social media has opened the door to different types of verbal attacks. Nowadays, it’s easy for peers, friends, and even strangers to hop online and say whatever they want about your child or teen. Sometimes, they can even do it anonymously, but that doesn’t take away the pain and humiliation your child might feel.

This kind of digital attack can wreak havoc on your adolescent’s mental health, creating anxiety, stress, and depression.

Sometimes, your child might not be directly attacked. But, they might be exposed to hate speech or harmful content on social media, which can also contribute to anxiety.

Keeping Up With Trends

Social media moves quickly. It can put a lot of pressure on your child or teen to keep up with different platforms and trends or even to respond quickly to messages or posts from friends. Some young people might even feel pressured to get a certain number of interactions on their posts, causing them to check in constantly.

This kind of pressure can quickly lead to anxiety. If they feel like they’re missing out or can’t keep up, they might fear losing relationships or even social status.

What Can You Do?

Social media has its benefits, even for adolescents. But it’s important to monitor your child’s use as necessary. Make sure to check in with them to ensure they aren’t experiencing any of the negative effects that can sometimes come with regular use.

If your adolescent is experiencing mental health issues due to social media, don’t hesitate to get them the help they need. Feel free to contact me to set up an appointment for child or teen therapy. They can learn how to manage their symptoms, as well as healthy strategies to maintain mental wellness in the future.

Depression isn’t just an issue for adults. People of all ages can become depressed, and symptoms don’t always look the same for everyone. It can be even more challenging to recognize the signs of depression in children because they’re less likely to articulate their feelings the way adults do.

Here are several tips for recognizing depression in children and how to get them help.

Symptoms of Childhood Depression

A persistent low mood

The hallmark symptom of depression is sadness. Your child may be more unhappy, teary, frustrated, or throw more tantrums than usual. This can also translate to grouchiness and irritability, especially if your child has difficulty discussing feelings.

A lack of energy

Like with adults, depression saps a child’s energy. They might feel more tired than usual, unable to do easy tasks, or lay in bed more often. They may also give up on new tasks more easily. You may notice changes in their sleeping habits, such as sleeping much longer than usual, staying up late, and feeling groggy throughout the day.

Negative self-talk

Because depression affects self-esteem, your child might start becoming more self-critical. They may say things like “I’m never good at this,” “I’m not smart,” “I have no friends,” or “Nobody likes me.” This negative self-talk will often have little basis in reality but will feel real to your child.

Avoiding things they once enjoyed

If your child suddenly stops playing with their favorite toys or hanging out with their best friends, they might be depressed. They may find excuses not to socialize or engage in the activities they once loved.

Frequent aches and pains

Children sometimes have a harder time talking about their emotions. A depressed child might instead complain of headaches, stomachaches, or other somatic issues. They may try to avoid going to school or other events because of illness, even when they don’t seem sick.

Addressing Depression in Children

Have an honest conversation

When you’re approaching a discussion about feelings with a child, it’s important to be a trusted figure. Make sure they know that whatever they say, you’ll hear and validate them. You’re not there to judge their feelings—you’re trying to have an open dialogue and be there for them. Let them know they can come to you with a problem, no matter what’s going through their head.

Encourage healthy habits

Bad eating and sleeping habits can worsen depression. Encourage your kid to eat healthy foods and prioritize fresh fruits and veggies at every meal. Make sure they go to bed and wake up on a consistent schedule. Also, encourage them to be active. This might mean playing outside, joining a sports team, or taking hikes or walks in the park with family.

Model good coping mechanisms

Your child learns from you. When you’re stressed or feeling down, show them the best ways of coping with those negative emotions. Take them with you on self-care days to the park or out into town. Get them involved in arts and crafts or journaling to express their emotions. Avoid stewing in anger, sadness, or anxiety in front of your child.

Get professional help

If you suspect that your child may be struggling with depression, don’t hesitate to seek help. Talk to a child psychologist or therapist about your concerns. They can conduct a thorough evaluation to determine whether your child is having a depressive episode and recommend appropriate treatment options.

This might mean therapy, medication, or some combination of the two. In therapy, your child will learn healthy coping habits, ways of countering negative thought patterns, and work on boosting their self-esteem.

To find out more about how depression therapy or child therapy can help alleviate depression in children, please reach out.