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What Additional Tests Follow Autism Screening? 

Posted
Updated
ByMy Patient Advice
Author: Lucia Alvarez, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

After an autism screening, if concerns are raised about potential autism spectrum disorder (ASD), healthcare providers often recommend additional autism diagnostic tests to further evaluate the child’s developmental, behavioural, and social skills. These tests are designed to provide more detailed information to help confirm or rule out an autism diagnosis, ensuring that the child receives the right support. 

While autism screening serves as an initial step, additional autism diagnostic tests help provide a comprehensive understanding of the child’s needs, including areas such as cognitive development, communication, and sensory processing. 

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What Additional Autism Diagnostic Tests Are Conducted? 

Here’s what typically follows autism screening: 

Cognitive Assessment:

It helps evaluate the child’s intellectual abilities, such as memory, problem-solving, and reasoning. This test is particularly important to determine if there are any intellectual disabilities or if the child’s cognitive development is typical or delayed. Cognitive assessments help specialists understand the child’s learning potential and inform intervention strategies. 

Language Evaluation:

It is crucial in assessing a child’s communication skills, including speech development, language comprehension, and social communication. This evaluation helps professionals identify any delays in language skills, such as difficulties with understanding or expressing language, which are often linked to autism. 

Sensory Testing:

It evaluates how a child responds to sensory input, such as sounds, textures, lights, and smells. Sensory processing issues are common in children with autism, so testing sensory sensitivity can provide important insights into how the child experiences their environment. These tests help clinicians understand the child’s sensory needs and challenges, which are often addressed in therapy. 

Additional autism diagnostic tests are a crucial part of the comprehensive evaluation that helps to confirm autism and guide intervention planning. For expert advice and personalised consultations, visit providers like Autism Detect to navigate the diagnostic process and ensure the best support for your child. 

For a deeper dive into the science, diagnosis, and full treatment landscape, read our complete guide to Autism Screening and Assessment Tools. 

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Lucia Alvarez, MSc
Author

Lucia Alvarez is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and extensive experience providing evidence-based therapy and psychological assessment to children, adolescents, and adults. Skilled in CBT, DBT, and other therapeutic interventions, she has worked in hospital, community, and residential care settings. Her expertise includes grief counseling, anxiety management, and resilience-building, with a strong focus on creating safe, supportive environments to improve mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy. 

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS
Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy. 

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