New Zealand Autism Spectrum Disorder Guideline - Ministry of Health

Part 1: Diagnosis and initial assessment of ASD
• Appropriate medical tests should be ordered.
Choice of tests will depend on each child’s
clinical presentation, but chromosome
karyotype and fragile X DNA analysis are
the only current routine recommendations
(Grade B). Clinical evidence of co-morbid
medical conditions such as epilepsy should
be sought but tests such as EEG should not be
undertaken unless clinically appropriate. The
evidence base for all investigations should be
fully explained to parents.
• Other assessments may be required to
investigate unusual sensory responses, motor
planning and coordination difficulties, and
self-care problems. These assessments should
be carried out by a therapist with appropriate
experience in ASD. On occasions, the
therapist will wish to involve another health
professional. Joint assessments are preferable.
• The findings should be discussed with the
family and a plan developed including
referrals for further assessment/intervention,
review of the child and provision of a
comprehensive report.
After the assessment is completed, the DSC
(or ASD coordinator, where available) should
ensure that the child (where appropriate) and
family have received information about services
and supports and that the relevant referrals have
been made.
Current Ministry of Health elective guidelines
require referrals to be seen within six months.
All agencies should work together to ensure
that waiting times are minimised, especially for
children in the early childhood years, and that
assessments are completed as quickly as possible
within the available resources.
Part 1
New Zealand Autism Spectrum Disorder Guideline 49