Autism Assessment for Children in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is an autism assessment for children?
An autism assessment for children is the first step in understanding whether a child's development fits the pattern of autism. Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, describes lifelong differences in how a person communicates, relates to others and experiences the world. Autistic children often show differences in social communication together with repetitive behaviours, intense interests and strong reactions to sound, light, touch or taste. The word "spectrum" reflects how widely this varies from one child to another.
At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, the initial assessment is carried out by a pediatrician. The pediatrician listens to your concerns, screens your child's development, checks for other explanations and, where autism is likely, arranges referral to a specialist multidisciplinary team that makes the formal diagnosis. Throughout, the pediatrician remains your child's doctor for everyday health and growth.
Who needs it
An autism assessment is worth asking for whenever you, a relative or a nursery teacher notice a pattern that concerns you. Signs parents often describe include:
- Little eye contact, or looking at faces only briefly
- Seldom turning when their name is called, while reacting to other sounds
- Rarely pointing to show you something interesting
- Rarely bringing toys to share or looking to see if you are watching too
- Lining up objects, or playing with parts of toys in the same way each time
- Strong distress at small changes in routine
- Very strong reactions to noise, clothing labels or food textures
- Speech that is late, repeats phrases heard elsewhere, or is used mainly to ask for things
A child who loses words, gestures or social skills they already had needs prompt review by a pediatrician, within days rather than weeks.
In the UAE, many children grow up hearing two or three languages. Bilingual children develop language well, and learning several languages at home is fully compatible with autism assessment and support. Keep speaking the language you are most comfortable in; your child benefits most from rich, natural conversation with you.
What happens
The first appointment focuses on your child's story. The pediatrician asks about pregnancy, birth, early milestones, play, sleep, eating and how your child communicates at home and at nursery. For toddlers, a structured screening questionnaire is often used, filled in with your help, to look at communication and social behaviour in a consistent way.
Your child is examined, including growth, head size and skin, and the pediatrician watches how your child plays and responds during the visit. Young children often behave differently in a clinic room, so your description of home life carries great weight.
A hearing test is arranged early. Hearing loss can look very similar to ignoring a name or slow speech, and it is one of the most treatable explanations for these signs. Depending on the findings, blood tests or genetic tests may be recommended, usually arranged through the specialist team.
Where the screening and examination point towards autism, the pediatrician writes a referral to a specialist multidisciplinary team, which may include a developmental pediatrician, a child psychologist and a speech and language therapist. That team carries out the formal diagnostic assessment. Speech and communication support can begin while you wait, so your pediatrician helps you arrange early support as soon as a need is clear.
Preparing for it
- Record short videos at home of the behaviours that concern you, and of your child playing, talking and reacting to their name. A few minutes of everyday footage often shows more than a clinic visit.
- Bring reports from nursery, school or any previous assessments, in whatever language they are written.
- Bring your child's health record, including vaccination and hearing test results if available.
- Write down your questions and the main examples that worry you.
- Bring a favourite snack or toy to help your child feel settled in a new place.
Afterwards
After the first appointment, you receive a clear plan: the tests arranged, the referral made and what to do while you wait. The pediatrician can provide letters to help your child's nursery or school put inclusion support in place, which many UAE schools offer for children with additional learning needs. Follow-up visits keep an eye on growth, sleep, eating and general health, all of which matter for autistic children.
Contact the hospital if your child loses words or skills, if sleep or eating problems begin to affect their health, or if you are worried about their safety, for example a tendency to wander away or a lack of awareness of danger near roads or water.
Cost and insurance
Most UAE health insurance plans cover pediatric consultations and hearing tests. Cover for developmental and autism assessments by specialist teams varies widely between plans, and some therapies are limited or excluded, so check your policy and ask whether pre-approval is needed. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you confirm your cover on 06 599 7777.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the risks and limits of an autism assessment with a pediatrician?
An autism assessment with a pediatrician carries no physical risk, but a screening questionnaire is not a diagnosis. Screening can miss some children, especially girls and children with strong language skills, whose signs can be quieter, and it can raise concerns that turn out to have another explanation. The formal diagnosis is made by a specialist multidisciplinary team.
Do vaccines cause autism?
Vaccines do not cause autism. Large studies involving very many children in several countries have found no link between vaccination and autism. Keeping your child's vaccinations up to date protects them from serious diseases and has no effect on whether they are autistic.
Will my autistic child learn to talk?
Many autistic children develop spoken language, and the timing and path differ widely from one child to another. Some children communicate using pictures, signs or devices before or alongside speech. Early communication support helps every child find the most effective way to express themselves.
Should we stop speaking two languages at home?
Families do not need to stop speaking two or more languages at home when autism is suspected. Speaking the language you are most fluent in gives your child the richest communication with you. Specialists usually encourage parents to keep their home language while support is arranged.
Can the pediatrician diagnose autism?
At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, the pediatrician carries out the initial assessment, including screening, a hearing test and checks for other causes. The formal diagnosis is made by a specialist multidisciplinary team, to which the pediatrician arranges referral, while continuing to care for your child's general health.
What should I bring to an autism assessment?
Bring short home videos showing the behaviours that concern you, reports from nursery or school, your child's health and vaccination record, and any earlier assessments. A written list of examples and questions helps you make the most of the appointment.
Is an autism assessment covered by insurance in the UAE?
Most UAE insurance plans cover the pediatric consultation and hearing test, while cover for specialist autism assessments and therapies varies between plans and may need pre-approval. Confirm your cover with Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah on 06 599 7777.
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