Do you have concerns that your child or loved one might have autism? It’s better to find out sooner than later as early diagnosis is crucial for implementing effective interventions and supports. Those that stall sometimes find themselves falling behind on addressing developmental stages that need attention now. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that affects a child’s behaviour, communication, and social interactions. Knowing if your child is on the spectrum will give you peace of mind as you plan for their future. 

Monarch House can conduct autism assessments in Toronto. We do this with a wide range of screening tools and assessments to identify and diagnose neurodivergence, ensuring your child receives the appropriate care as early as possible.

So how does it work? Here are some of the tools and techniques used to diagnose and treat autism Toronto.

1. Developmental Screening 

Start with your family doctor. A pediatrician’s developmental screening is often the first step in identifying children who may have developmental delays, including autism. Mention the behaviours that you have concerns about and ask them to take a closer look and offer medical insight. Pediatricians usually perform these screenings during regular visits. The doctor will give you some standardized questionnaires or checklists for you to complete. These forms will assess whether your child is hitting their developmental milestones in areas such as motor skills, speech, and social interaction.

One tool we use at Monarch House is the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ). The ASQ helps assess children who may need further evaluation by asking you to observe your child’s behaviour and development across various scenarios.

2. Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS)

Once your doctor suggests an assessment, take your child to Monarch House. Here we have a multidisciplinary team of professionals that can help to assess your child for autism. 

One tool that we use in our assessment is the ADOS. This is a key assessment tool used for diagnosing autism. It involves semi-structured, play-based scenarios. Through your child’s reactions, we evaluate along the metrics of social interaction, communication, play, and imaginative use of materials. The ADOS is sorted by different modules, each one is based on the child’s age and language ability. So it is adaptable for a wide range of children.

ADOS is a standard assessment tool. In Canada, it is regularly used by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, and speech-language pathologists as part of a multidisciplinary evaluation process.

3. Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R)

To get a well-rounded assessment, we get you and your child’s caregivers involved in the process as well. The ADI-R is a structured interview conducted with your child and those that know them. The survey gathers detailed information about your child’s communication skills, developmental history, social interactions, and behaviour patterns. At Monarch House, we often use the ADI-R in conjunction with the ADOS to offer a more comprehensive assessment of your child’s condition.

How it works is that the interview covers three key areas: communication, social development, and language. It also examines repetitive or restrictive behaviours. We score the responses and then compare the data to standardized criteria. This allows us to determine whether the child meets the diagnosis for autism.

4. Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT)

If your child is a toddler, there is a different diagnostic tool (that you can find online). The M-CHAT is designed specifically to detect autism in children between sixteen and thirty months of age. The M-CHAT consists of a series of yes/no questions that you and other caregivers can answer based on your child’s behaviour. The questions are specific to social and communication skills. They ask things such as: “Does your child maintain eye contact?” and “Do they respond to their name being called?” and “Does your child show interest in playing with others?”

Based on the results of the M-CHAT, a follow-up interview or assessment is usually conducted to gather more information (if it indicates potential signs of autism). From here we can determine whether further evaluation is needed.

5. Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnostic Tool Kit (ASD-DTK)

Another tool to assess autism in children is the ASD Diagnostic Tool Kit. This is a resource (developed in Canada) that provides healthcare professionals with guidelines and tools for diagnosing neurodivergence in young people. The ASD-DTK includes a variety of assessment instruments, clinical observation tools, and interview protocols. In general, it is streamlined with a comprehensive and standardized approach for diagnosing autism across the country. The wide data pool it works from ensures consistency in its diagnosis. This test opens the doors to access for appropriate interventions.

*Note: We do not use this tool at Monarch House.

6. Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS)

Sometimes you might want a second opinion. Or you would like to see a confirmation of an assessment from a different angle or resource. That’s why there are multiple testing options out there. Another metric used to assess your child for autism is CARS.  The CARS is a behaviour rating scale that looks more closely at the severity of symptoms. It is suitable for children aged two years and older. CARS is often used by our staff to provide a quick and reliable assessment of neurodivergent behaviours. It’s another tool in the toolkit. And it can be a very useful one. The CARS evaluates behaviours across fifteen different domains, including sensory sensitivities, social interaction, and communication.

*Note: We do not use this tool at Monarch House.

7. Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ)

If your child is kindergarten age, we have a different test that we like to use. The SCQ is a screening tool used in Canada to assess social communication skills in children over four years old. This questionnaire is similar to the ADI-R. It’s made up of forty yes/no questions that focus on autism-type behaviours. Traditionally, we use the SCQ fairly early in the process. It’s often used as an initial screening tool. Based on the results, a more comprehensive diagnostic assessment would be conducted next.

8. Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (GARS)

Autism assessments aren’t only for children. There are also tests to assess teens and young adults for autism, even those in their early twenties. There is a standardized resource called GARS to determine the likelihood of autism in people aged three to twenty-two years. This tool includes subscales for communication, social interaction, and stereotyped autistic behaviours. In Canada, the GARS is a pretty standard resource that is used by psychologists, educators, and other professionals. They use these results to develop individualized education plans (IEPs) for children on the ASD spectrum and help young adults with daily life skills and pathways to independence.

*Note: We do not use this tool at Monarch House.

9. Developmental and Social History

Beyond standardized tools, at Monarch House we also collect a comprehensive developmental and social history of each child as part of our diagnostic process. To do this, we conduct interviews with you and your child’s caregivers. Our goal is to gather as much information as we can about your child’s social interactions, early development, communication skills, and behaviour patterns. Building a file on your child’s history provides us with valuable context for understanding your child’s symptoms. This helps to guide the subsequent diagnostic process.

10. Provincial and Territorial Guidelines

In Toronto, the approach to autism diagnosis can vary slightly. It’s not the same in each province and territory due to differences in healthcare systems and resources. Different cities and regions across Canada have developed their own guidelines and protocols for diagnosing autism. Depending on our location, different Monarch Houses often include a combination of the tools mentioned above. For example, in British Columbia, we have specific guidelines for autism diagnosis, which include the use of the ADOS and ADI-R as part of a multidisciplinary assessment.

At Monarch House, we take a comprehensive approach to diagnosing autism, using a multidisciplinary team and multiple screening tools and assessments. These tools are designed to identify the presence and severity of autism in your child based on neurodivergent-type symptoms. Once identified, they provide the foundation for developing individualized treatment plans for your child. Early detection and diagnosis is essential for starting interventions gathering support as soon as possible. This is the way that we can help your child with autism reach their full potential. The first step is to ensure that your child with autism receives a timely and accurate diagnosis. This will set the course for their well-being throughout their lifetime.