Developmental Pediatrician
In the following five part series, Raquel and her twins, Ethan and Evan, participate in an evaluation with a developmental pediatrician, Dr. Andrew Adesman, MD.
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Examination by a Developmental Pediatrician for an Autism Diagnosis Pt 1
In Part 1, Dr. Adesman interviews Raquel about Ethan's current symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Examples of Ethan at a variety of different ages illustrate his mother's descriptions. Raquel and the doctor also discuss how Ethan's diagnosis has been received by her family.
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Examination by a Developmental Pediatrician for an Autism Diagnosis Pt 2
In Part 2, Dr. Adesman interviews Raquel about Evan's current symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, describing both similarities and differences between the twins. Examples of Evan at a variety of different ages illustrate the individuality of the boys as well as the variability of autism spectrum symptoms.
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Examination by a Developmental Pediatrician for an Autism Diagnosis Pt 3
In Part 3, we see Ethan in his exam with Dr. Adesman. In addition to conducting a physical exam, Dr. Adesman assesses for developmental delays such as eye contact, name response, imitation, shared emotion, social response and gesturing that are signs of autism as well as indicators of Ethan's current functioning relative to other toddlers his age. Ethan has a difficult time engaging in the interview.
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Examination by a Developmental Pediatrician for an Autism Diagnosis Pt 4
In Part 4, we see Evan in his exam with the Dr. Adesman. As with Ethan, Dr. Adesman evaluates both Evan's physical and social development. The differences between the boys are clear, though both boys have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. Dr. Adesman discusses how the findings from his exams of Ethan and Evan compared to Raquel's description of the boys at the beginning of the assessmemt.
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Examination by a Developmental Pediatrician for an Autism Diagnosis Pt 5
In Part 5, Dr. Adesman shares the outcome of his physical and developmental exam of Ethan and Evan with their parents, Raquel and Anthony. Dr. Adesman goes over the diagnostic criteria for autism, shares his impressions with the parents and discusses some differences between autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD NOS). He also discusses next steps with Raquel and Anthony in terms of intervention and genetic testing.
