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Obstacles to Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder and Myths About Autism

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Diagnosing and Caring for the Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder
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Abstract

This chapter reviews some of the common thoughts, beliefs, and misconceptions that can act as barriers to an ASD diagnosis. The requirements of healthcare practice make it hard for PCPs to diagnose conditions like autism. It is critical that children with developmental delays get identified and referred to intervention programs as early as possible, when the brain is most actively developing. “Let’s wait and see” must be avoided when there are concerns about development. The shortage of developmental subspecialists makes it even more important that PCPs can get children into intervention services as soon as possible. Early intervention would help everyone with skill deficits. Our ideas regarding what children with autism should look like in the office can often be misleading.

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Iyama-Kurtycz, T. (2020). Obstacles to Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder and Myths About Autism. In: Diagnosing and Caring for the Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26531-1_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26531-1_2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-26530-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-26531-1

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