EASE Program
If you have a child between the ages of 2 and 6 who appears to be experiencing challenges in their social, communication and behavioral development, you might wonder if autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or autism, is the reason. OSF HealthCare offers the fast answers, guidance and support that your child and family need through the Embedded Autism Screening and Evaluation (EASE) program.
What is autism spectrum disorder?
Autism is a neurological and developmental condition that affects the brain and impacts how people communicate, interact with others and behave. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 31 children has ASD. However, since autism is a spectrum, not everyone who has it displays the same characteristics or abilities. Common features are social, communication or behavioral challenges.
Autism Screening vs. Autism Evaluation
While “autism screening” and “autism evaluation” may sound like the same thing, they’re actually quite different.
An autism screening is often conducted during a well-child check-up. Your pediatrician will ask you a brief series of questions to identify any areas of concern in your child’s development. If certain areas are noted, the pediatrician may refer your child for an autism evaluation for a more in-depth assessment to either diagnose or rule out autism.
What to Expect During an Autism Evaluation
An autism evaluation may be conducted over just one or multiple appointments. During this assessment, an advanced practice provider (APP) will observe your child at play, have a discussion with you about their developmental history and conduct a general physical examination. All of this information will then be measured against a standard set of criteria to determine if an autism diagnosis is appropriate.
Why is early evaluation important?
Early evaluation allows for early treatment designed for your child’s specific needs.
Since a child’s brain is highly adaptable in the first few years of life, studies show that early treatment can positively impact their behavioral development while helping them learn valuable communication and social skills. Early treatment can also reduce the stress on your family by providing you with steps you can take to access the support you and your child need.
Benefits of the EASE Program
Unlike the typical autism evaluation wait time of one to two years that many families experience, the professionals at EASE move quickly to provide your child’s evaluation within just a few weeks.
Regardless of whether or not autism is the diagnosis, EASE will work directly with your pediatrician to coordinate next steps so you can feel confident moving forward to get the answers and care your child needs.
Loading component...
Getting a Referral to EASE
First, talk to your pediatrician about any concerns you may have about your child’s development. They may refer you to OSF Autism Pathways, a free service that guides families through next steps and available resources. A navigator from OSF Autism Pathways will then call you to discuss your child’s needs. If your child meets the criteria for EASE and your family feels the program is right for your needs, your child will be referred for an evaluation. You can also contact OSF Autism Pathways without a referral at (844) 910-0770.
Concerned about your child’s development?
If so, talk to your pediatrician about whether an EASE evaluation may be appropriate. If you need to find a pediatric care provider for your child, just browse our directory.
