What to do when school teachers tell your 5 year old has autism?

Assessment: Autism or autism spectrum disorder has become the diagnosis of the day. It is a serious persisting disorder that should only be made by competent pediatric neuropsychologists, pediatric neurologists, developmental pediatricians, or child psychiatris. Neuropsyh testing is very important. See http://cpancf.Com/autismspectrumdisorder.Asp for more info.

Grant the school's: Multidisciplinary team permission to test your child's overall development & degree of autism, to create an individual educational plan under public law idea. Ask your pediatrician for referral to a specialty team with a developmental/behavioral pediatrician & child (neuro)psychologist, but don't delay intervention while awaiting an evaluation. See www.Autism-society.Org for info & support.

Speak to your doctor: Do not panic. speak to your pediatrician about your concern. There are behavioral scales that pediatricians can use to diagnose autism. Alternatively, you may get a referral to a psychologist specializing in autism.