Screening and Characteristics

People who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may experience a range of characteristics and symptoms. Some people may have noticeable characteristics, others may not. Autism may be identified as early as18as 18 to 24 months but can be diagnosed at any age. Screening and identification will help increase access to services and supports.

Why is early identification or obtaining a medical diagnosis important?

• To gain access to funding and services: Having a formal medical/ clinical diagnosis opens up the door to accessing services and reducing financial burden.
• To help others better understand how to support the person: Understanding how a person thinks and learns may help parents, teachers, co-workers and others understand better ways to communicate with the person, what support they might need and what their strengths are.
• To help you better understand better what supportsupports you might need and how to advocate for yourself.

Early Years (Birth to 5)

Pediatric Developmental Screening Stepsmilestones

Although every child is unique and will learn and grow at their own pace, children are expected to develop in similar ways. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Children reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, act, and move (crawling, walking, etc.). Skills such as taking a first step, smiling for the first time, and waving “bye bye” are called developmental milestones. Keeping track of developmental milestones will allow you to:

1.·         ParentSupport completesyour screeningchild toolas inthey waiting room.grow.

2.·         ClinicalIdentify staffright scoresaway andif reviewsthey themay screeningneed tool.extra help to learn.

DO NOT WAIT! Early intervention programs can make a big difference.

 

IfThe Positive:first step:

a. ImmediatePathway actionto required.learning, playing, and growing provides a summary of key developmental milestones that babies and toddlers should be achieving. It also has tips, tools and guidance to help our child’s development. In addition, it describes what intended to be shared during home visits and in clinics. Childcare and pre-school settings.

b.      Provider discusses results and concerns with parents.

c.       Furthermore, specific medical and developmental assessment and/or refers for further assessment will be completed.

d.      Referral to appropriate early intervention services if child is not yet 3 years old or special educations program if the child is 3 years or older. 

IfBirth Negative:to 3 Months

·         Coos, cries, and gurgles

·         Follows movement or turns head towards sounds.

·         Quiets to familiar voice or touch

Ø  IfTips: thereHold, arecuddle, nohug furtherand concernsrock your baby. Talk, read, and sing songs to them.

 

4-6 Months

a.·         TheBabbles, providersqueals, willand discuss results with parents.laughs

b.·         ProvidedRolls anticipatoryover guidance.and sit up on their own.

c.·         NoRespond immediateto actionown isname required.by smiling or turning head.

d.·         RescreenBegin atto nextrecognize well-child visit.faces.

e.Ø  Tips: When your baby starts to smile and babble, respond back! They are trying to talk with you and want you to talk back.

 

7-9 Months

·         ProviderImitates discussesgestures, resultssounds, actions and concernsfacial with parents.expressions.

·         Creeps and crawls

·         Gestures by pointing or waving.

·         Notices you, looks at you often, and easily turns to you when you talk or gesture.

·         IfLooks therewhere you are stilllooking concerns

or

a.       The provider will discuss results with parents.pointing.

b.Ø  Provides anticipatory guidance.Tips:

c. MonitorPlay development.simple

games

d.like Rescreenpatty atcake nextand well-childpeek-a-boo. visit.Point out and name pictures in books.

 

OR12 Months

a.·         ReferralPulls themselves up to appropriatestand.

·         Walks alone.

·         Starting to say single words.

·         Shows interest in other children.

·         Enjoys taking turns and exchanging objects.

·         Gets you to notice them and the things they are interested in.

Ø  Tips: Allow others to support you in your journey and ask for help in needed.

 

18 Months

·         Runs and kicks.

·         Points to pictures in books.

·         Plays beside other children.

·         Using 2-3 words together.

·         Combines words, gestures, and looking together when talking to others.

·         Points to show others something interesting.

Ø  Tips: Continue regular check-ups and ask the doctor for a developmental screening if you have a concern.

 

2 Years

·         Builds small block towers and puzzles.

·         Uses 3-4 word sentences.

·         Uses words and phrases to share interest and have short conversations with you.

·         Shows concern or affection for others.

·         Plays make believe with dolls and animals.

·         Follows simple instructions.

Ø  Tips: Be patient with your child, you are learning together. Color with them and encourage them to start trying to do more things on their own.

 

If you have concerns that your child is not meeting important developmental milestones, make an appointment with your child’s primary care doctor for an evaluation. You can also call your insurance company using the number on the back of your member ID card to receive a referral or find evaluation providers and other services in your network.

 

Developmental and Behavior Concerns

 

Evaluation and services when a provider or caregiver has developmental, behavioral, or mental health concerns.

Medical Evaluation

Make sure the child’s primary healthcare provider knows about the concerns and can provide a comprehensive medical evaluation:

Health care providers can check for health conditions or refer to specialists if needed.

·         If the child already has a clinic, the next step is to schedule an appointment for a well visit or evaluation of development/behavioral concerns.

·         For children covered by Medical Assistance, well-child checkups (medical and dental) called Child and Teen Checkups (C&TC), are free for newborns through age 20 years old. For children covered by other health insurance, contact member services to find a clinic near you where the well-child visit may be paid for by your health insurance.

Early Intervention/Comprehensive Evaluation

The EIDBI benefit provides therapy for children, youth and young adults under the age of 21 who meet eligibility criteria. To determine eligibility, make a referral to a Comprehensive Multi-Disciplinary provider. Participants may be enrolled in Medical Assistance (MA), MinnesotaCare, Minnesota Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (MA-TEFRA) or other qualifying health care programs.

Facilities serving Itasca County

2Care4u LLC-Grand Rapids

2 Care 4 U

1107 NW 4^th St.

Grand Rapids, MN. 55744

Ph: 218-326-0095

Website: https://www.4uhhc.com 

 

CORE Professional Services, P.A.

Sartell Office

110 14^th Ave. E.

Sartell, MN. 56377

Ph: 320-202-1400

Email: sccore@coretreatment.com 

Website: http://www.coreprofessionalservices.co/index.html 

 

Minnesota Autism Center

Minnesota Autism Center- Corporate Office

5868 Baker Rd.

Minnetonka, MN. 55345

Ph: 952-767-4200

Website: https://www.mnautism.org 

 

Autism Society of Minnesota

2380 Wycliff St. Ste. 102

St. Paul, MN. 55114

Ph: 651-647-1083

Email : info@ausm.org

Website: https://www.ausm.org 

 

Early Intervention/Educational Evaluation

 

Local school districts provide early intervention servicesor special education services, free to the family, for children who are eligible. The first step to determine eligibility is an educational referral.

 

Early Intervention/ Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)

To see if a child (birth through 5 years) is noteligible yetfor 3early years old orchildhood special education programservices if(ECSE), Please call 1-886-693-GROW (4769) or complete a referral form online at: https://helpmegrowmn.org/HMG/Refer/index.html  A referral can be made by a parent, any professional, or family members and others who have concerns about the childchild. isThe 3child’s yearslocal school district ECSE program will follow up with the family within 7-10 days to discuss next steps, which may include a screening or older.evaluation.

 

Social, Emotional, or Behavioral Concerns

In addition to health and educational evaluation, consider referring young children (infancy-5 years) and their families to qualified mental health professionals.

 

Early childhood Mental Health AgenciesOR

Early childhood mental health professionals can work with parents and families to assess and treat trauma, emotional or behavioral concerns of babies, toddlers, and young children.

 

a.Ø  TheStepping providerStones discussesChild resultsand withFamily parents.Services, LLC

214 NW 1^st Ave. Ste C

Grand Rapids, MN. 55744

Ph: 218-301-9122

 

b.Ø  ProvidesChildrens anticipatoryMental guidance.health Services

35382 US Hwy 2

Grand Rapids, MN. 55744

Ph: 218-327-4886

Fx: 218-327-4848

Email: intake@cmhsreach.org 

Website: http://www.cmhsreach.org/ 

 

Ø  Ellie Family Services

217 NW 1^st. Ave.

Grand Rapids, MN. 55744

Ph: 651-313-8080

Fx: 651-925-0610

Email: info@elliementalhealth.com

 

c.Ø  No immediate action is required.

d. 

Rescreen at next well-child visit.

 

Childrens Therapeutic Services and Supports (CTSS)

Children’s Therapeutic Services and Supports (CTSS) is a flexible range of mental health and rehabilitation services for children and youth (birth – 21 years) who need varying levels of intervention services in their homes or elsewhere in the community. CTSS combines therapy with skills training to support children in reaching their appropriate developmental and social functioning levels. Individual goals are set so children and families are able to see measurable progress and services are delivered using various treatment modalities that are child/family specific. 

 

The Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health provides education and resources to professionals, families and youth throughout Minnesota and beyond. Resources include mental health fact sheets, publications, traumatic event resources, a toolkit for healing-centered practice, etc. Opportunities for continued education include free pop-up trainings, seasonal training series, Infant/Early Childhood and Children’s Mental Health conferences, on-demand trainings, and reflective consultation groups.

 

Get connected with resources, information and other parents who understand what you are going through