Diagnosis
Most cases of autism are diagnosed in children, though it may still occur in teens or adults. There’s no exact biological marker for the disorder. Your diagnosis will be based on specific test questions and observations. It may be more difficult if the autistic person has issues with communication. Things your specialist will look out for in an autistic person include:
- Sensory dysfunction
- Certain behavioral differences that are symptoms of autism
- Speech delays or idiosyncrasies such as echolalia [5]
- Social disorder
- Communication delays
Bipolar disorder on the other hand is rarely diagnosed in toddlers. Diagnosis for this condition will include a physical exam and laboratory test to help rule out other possible causes of mood swings, such as thyroid problems. One must have experienced at least one mania episode before being diagnosed with BD.
Both conditions have no biological marker, so diagnosis is based on physical tests and exams.