Medical Tests for Autistic Individuals

Parents of autistic children are often interested to know which medical tests their child should have.

Evidence suggests that autistic individuals with a learning disability should have genetic tests to identify chromosomal abnormalities and fragile X syndrome, both of which may be associated with autism.

Children with clinical features (symptoms or examination findings) associated with other conditions associated with autism (for example Tuberous sclerosis) should have testing for that particular condition.

Some autistic children have additional medical disorders, such as epilepsy. When clinical symptoms or examination findings indicate that another medical disorder might be present, appropriate investigations should be carried out.

Autistic children sometimes have symptoms which, despite appropriate testing, remain unexplained. For these children, additional testing is unlikely to be of benefit and a pragmatic decision about when to stop carrying out tests should be reached between the clinician and the parents.

For autistic children but no symptoms or examination findings suggesting another disorder, UK and US national guidance does not suggest further biomedical testing. (Reference: National Autism Plan, SIGN guidance and guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics.)

In the UK, the NICE guidance of 2011 gives further evidence-based guidance on this topic. (Reference: Autism diagnosis in children and young people: Recognition, referral and diagnosis of children and young people on the autism spectrum)

A more detailed explanation on the types of physical examination and medical investigations currently recommended and those not recommended is contained in the National Autism Plan for Children NAPC (2003).

Related Publications

• National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (2011) Autism diagnosis in children and young people: Recognition, referral and diagnosis of children and young people on the autism spectrum . London: National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Read Full (New Window)
  
  
• Johnson C. P., Myers S. M., American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Children With Disabilities (2007) Identification and evaluation of children with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics. 120(5), Read Abstract (New Window)
  
  
• National Autistic Society (2003) National Autism Plan for Children (NAPC): Plan for the identification, assessment, diagnosis and access to early interventions for pre-school and primary school aged children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). London: National Autistic Society
  
  
• Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (2016) Assessment, diagnosis and interventions autism spectrum disorders: A national clinical guideline. Edinburgh: Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network Read Full (New Window)
  
  

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https://informationautism.org/medical-tests-for-autism

Updated

15 Jun 2022