Early Identification And Intervention Services (EIIS)

What is EIIS?
EIIS Video
EIIS Service Delivery System
What is ASD? Service Provider
Parent Resource Package
Training Opportunities
Regional Evaluation Report

What is ASD?
Areas of Impairment | Autism and Related Disorders Handbook | How is ASD Diagnosed? | Links

How is Autistic Spectrum Disorder diagnosed?
The criteria for diagnosing Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are listed in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th edition (DSM-IV) under the heading Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD). The terms Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) are interchangeable. Parents and clinicians generally prefer the term ASD because it implies a range of disorders along a continuous spectrum.
In Nova Scotia, only licensed physicians and licensed clinical psychologists are authorized to make a formal diagnosis of autism. Sometimes it can be difficult to determine if a child has an Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The reason for this is that some of the symptoms of autism can also be seen in children who do not have autism. Instead, they may have other conditions such as cognitive delays, deafness, language disorders, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders or various types of emotional problems. Part of the diagnostic process is to identify if a child has autism or one of these other conditions. Sometimes, these other disorders can co-exist with autism.
The Diagnostic Assessment:
In western Nova Scotia, once a child is identified as possibly having ASD he or she is seen by the EIIS Autism Team for a formal assessment. The child and family are asked to meet with this team for their child's assessment. The team is made up of two psychologists and may include other professionals like an occupational therapist, a speech language pathologist, an early interventionist and/or a community support worker.
During the diagnostic assessment, the psychologist will do some fun activities and have a snack with the child. These activities are from a test called the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and will help the psychologists to determine if the child meets the criteria for an Autistic Spectrum Disorder. The psychologists may also take into consideration information that has been gathered through parent questionnaires, videotaping, and other assessments. To be diagnosed with ASD a child must show symptoms in each of the three areas of impairment: Social Development, Communication and Behaviour.
Once the diagnosis of an Autistic Spectrum Disorder is confirmed, the child and his or her family will be asked to meet with the EIIS Autism Team several times. Other people who are involved with the child or family may also be asked to join the team. As a parent, you may also want to include other family members or caregivers in these meetings. These meetings will help parents and professionals to determine what interventions (treatments) will best meet the child and family's needs.
What is the cause?
The exact causes of autism are unknown. Autism is thought to be a biological condition that can be triggered by a number of factors, most of which are not yet completely understood. Currently, autism is believed to have a genetic basis that affects the neurological development of the brain. In some families, there seems to be a pattern of Autistic Spectrum Disorders, which suggest that it may be genetic. However, some theories connect autism with specific environmental factors or other triggers.^1,16
What we do know is that autism is NOT caused by the parents or the way the child is raised (as once thought). The cause is physical and it affects the development of some parts of the brain.¹ How or why this happens is unknown. Some of the causes currently being explored are chromosomal abnormalities, viruses and pollutants. The genetics of autism are now being intensively researched.
Is there a cure?
To date, there is no cure for autism, and children do not outgrow the symptoms. However, there are a number of treatments that can help children with autism and their families lead more normal lives.
Individualized treatments, designed to meet the specific needs of the child and family, which begin as early as possible, give children with autism their best chance for progress.⁹ In Western Nova Scotia, the EIIS Autism Teams work with families to develop treatment plans specific to their children's needs. This plan is called an Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP).

Christina Schulze-Allen - EIIS Regional Coordinator
Western Regional CAYAC, P.O. Box 520, Middleton
Nova Scotia, B0S 1P0
Email: csa.cyiwg@ns.sympatico.ca Phone: (902) 825-5377
Fax: (902) 825-5379

Supported by
Kings Regional Rehabilitation Centre
Technical Resource Centre


What is EIIS? EIIS Video EIIS Service Delivery System What is ASD?		Service Provider Parent Resource Package Training Opportunities Regional Evaluation Report
What is ASD? Areas of Impairment \| Autism and Related Disorders Handbook \| How is ASD Diagnosed? \| Links How is Autistic Spectrum Disorder diagnosed? The criteria for diagnosing Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are listed in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th edition (DSM-IV) under the heading Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD). The terms Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) are interchangeable. Parents and clinicians generally prefer the term ASD because it implies a range of disorders along a continuous spectrum. In Nova Scotia, only licensed physicians and licensed clinical psychologists are authorized to make a formal diagnosis of autism. Sometimes it can be difficult to determine if a child has an Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The reason for this is that some of the symptoms of autism can also be seen in children who do not have autism. Instead, they may have other conditions such as cognitive delays, deafness, language disorders, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders or various types of emotional problems. Part of the diagnostic process is to identify if a child has autism or one of these other conditions. Sometimes, these other disorders can co-exist with autism. The Diagnostic Assessment: In western Nova Scotia, once a child is identified as possibly having ASD he or she is seen by the EIIS Autism Team for a formal assessment. The child and family are asked to meet with this team for their child's assessment. The team is made up of two psychologists and may include other professionals like an occupational therapist, a speech language pathologist, an early interventionist and/or a community support worker. During the diagnostic assessment, the psychologist will do some fun activities and have a snack with the child. These activities are from a test called the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and will help the psychologists to determine if the child meets the criteria for an Autistic Spectrum Disorder. The psychologists may also take into consideration information that has been gathered through parent questionnaires, videotaping, and other assessments. To be diagnosed with ASD a child must show symptoms in each of the three areas of impairment: Social Development, Communication and Behaviour. Once the diagnosis of an Autistic Spectrum Disorder is confirmed, the child and his or her family will be asked to meet with the EIIS Autism Team several times. Other people who are involved with the child or family may also be asked to join the team. As a parent, you may also want to include other family members or caregivers in these meetings. These meetings will help parents and professionals to determine what interventions (treatments) will best meet the child and family's needs. What is the cause? The exact causes of autism are unknown. Autism is thought to be a biological condition that can be triggered by a number of factors, most of which are not yet completely understood. Currently, autism is believed to have a genetic basis that affects the neurological development of the brain. In some families, there seems to be a pattern of Autistic Spectrum Disorders, which suggest that it may be genetic. However, some theories connect autism with specific environmental factors or other triggers.^1,16 What we do know is that autism is NOT caused by the parents or the way the child is raised (as once thought). The cause is physical and it affects the development of some parts of the brain.¹ How or why this happens is unknown. Some of the causes currently being explored are chromosomal abnormalities, viruses and pollutants. The genetics of autism are now being intensively researched. Is there a cure? To date, there is no cure for autism, and children do not outgrow the symptoms. However, there are a number of treatments that can help children with autism and their families lead more normal lives. Individualized treatments, designed to meet the specific needs of the child and family, which begin as early as possible, give children with autism their best chance for progress.⁹ In Western Nova Scotia, the EIIS Autism Teams work with families to develop treatment plans specific to their children's needs. This plan is called an Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP).

Christina Schulze-Allen - EIIS Regional Coordinator Western Regional CAYAC, P.O. Box 520, Middleton Nova Scotia, B0S 1P0 Email: csa.cyiwg@ns.sympatico.ca	Phone: (902) 825-5377 Fax: (902) 825-5379
Supported by Kings Regional Rehabilitation Centre Technical Resource Centre