You have noticed that your child doesn’t appear to be developing typically.
Talking to Your Doctor
Maybe your son doesn’t hold eye contact like his sister did at the same age, or your daughter seems to be losing words from her vocabulary as her peers are adding words. You worry that your child’s development might be delayed, and you’re not sure what to do. You wonder if he or she should be screened for autism spectrum disorder.
STEP 1: TALK TO YOUR CHILD’S DOCTOR
Talk to the child’s pediatrician about his or her development. You could ask the doctor about taking the M-CHAT, the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers. This screening tool is used for children 16-30 months old. A failed M-CHAT is a good indication that more extensive autism testing is appropriate for your child.
STEP 2: ASK FOR THE TEST
Ask your physician to order the NeuroPointDX’s NPDX ASD test. We developed this test as a screening tool. Sometimes parents and doctors wait months or years to see if a child will “catch up” to peers. In the meantime, valuable time is lost that could be used to begin helpful interventions.
STEP 3: TAKE THE TEST
The NPDX ASD test requires a fasting blood draw. You may need to make another appointment for the blood draw. Work with your doctor or call NeuroPointDX to locate an appropriate blood draw lab. We suggest you make a morning appointment because your child should have nothing to eat or drink except water for at least 12 hours. Make sure your child is hydrated, though, for a smoother blood draw. Bring your NPDX ASD test requisition form with you.
STEP 4: GET RESULTS
Receive the results of the NPDX ASD test. NeuroPointDX will deliver results to your doctor within two weeks of receiving the sample. About 63% of children with ASD will get a positive test result. That can help doctors and parents make the decision to have the child evaluated by a developmental specialist. It’s important to understand that not all children with ASD will receive a positive result from the NPDX ASD test.
If your child receives a POSITIVE result on the test, proceed to STEP 5.
If your child receives a NEGATIVE result, work with your doctor to determine next steps.
STEP 5: SEEK OUT A NEURODEVELOPMENTAL SPECIALIST
Work with a neurodevelopmental specialist, who will evaluate a child and may make a formal ASD diagnosis.
Our research shows that if the child received a positive result from the NPDX ASD test, he or she is at higher risk of receiving an ASD diagnosis. Ask your pediatrician if it would be appropriate for your child to see the neurodevelopmental specialist sooner, considering the result of the NPDX ASD test. Waiting lists for evaluation can be many months or even as long as a year in some regions.
STEP 6: BEGIN INTERVENTION
Begin appropriate intervention. Work with your child’s pediatrician to understand the results of the NPDX ASD test, which may suggest that more precise intervention, including changes to the child’s diet or supplements, could help correct the metabolic imbalance that the NPDX ASD test uncovered.
The NPDX ASD test provides parents with a new choice if they are concerned about their child’s development.