Understanding Autism: Early Signs, Bilingual Testing, and Why Diagnosis Matters
Autism Is More Common—and More Subtle—Than You Think
When people hear the term autism, many imagine a child with severe speech or intellectual challenges. However, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) actually covers a wide range of presentations — from very mild to more apparent symptoms.
In our clinic, we often meet children who are bright, articulate, and socially engaged, yet still fall somewhere on the autism spectrum. Because of these subtle signs, mild or moderate autism is often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or missed altogether.
When Should Parents Consider an Autism Assessment?
If a teacher or school counselor expresses concern, that’s often the best starting point. Teachers spend many hours observing children and can compare developmental and behavioral differences across peers.
You might also consider seeking an autism evaluation if you notice that your child:
Struggles with two-way conversation (answers questions but rarely asks follow-up questions)
Prefers to talk only about specific interests and finds it difficult to engage in back-and-forth dialogue
Has limited eye contact or unusual body language during interactions
Shows sensory sensitivities — for example, to noise, light, textures, or certain foods
Displays repetitive behaviors, speech, or movements
Develops unusually strong or narrow interests
However, it’s important not to “self-diagnose.”
Having one or two of these signs doesn’t necessarily mean your child has ASD. A comprehensive professional evaluation is essential.
What Happens During an Autism Assessment?
A complete autism assessment usually involves:
Parent Interview – a detailed discussion of your child’s development, communication, and social patterns.
Direct Observation – a standardized behavioral test (commonly the ADOS) that evaluates how your child interacts through play and conversation.
These assessments typically take 2–3 hours and include both structured activities and natural conversation.
Results are based not only on scores, but also on the quality of interaction and communication — something that numbers alone can’t capture.
Can Autism Testing Be Done in Chinese?
Yes — and it’s often more accurate for bilingual or Mandarin-speaking families.
If your child’s native language is Chinese, conducting the ADOS and parent interviews in Chinese allows your child to express themselves naturally, without language barriers.
At Mind & Body Garden Psychology, our bilingual clinicians are trained to administer and interpret ASD tests in both English and Chinese, ensuring cultural and linguistic accuracy.
Insurance companies in the U.S. generally recognize and accept ASD assessments conducted in the child’s native language, as long as the testing procedures meet professional standards.
Why Early Diagnosis Matters
Many children with mild ASD may appear to be “doing fine” in early elementary school.
However, difficulties often emerge later — typically around fifth or sixth grade, when social demands grow more complex.
Early assessment and intervention can:
Improve communication and social skills
Build self-confidence and emotional regulation
Reduce academic and behavioral challenges later on
In other words: the earlier we identify autism, the better the long-term outcomes.
Finding Autism Testing Services in the U.S.
Public schools can provide free testing, though wait times may be long.
Private clinics, like ours, offer faster scheduling — often within a few weeks — and can coordinate directly with pediatricians or schools for follow-up support.
At Mind & Body Garden Psychology, we have a bilingual assessment team of licensed psychologists who specialize in ASD and ADHD evaluations.
We collaborate with pediatricians, schools, and major health networks (including Kaiser) to ensure accurate diagnosis and smooth access to intervention services.
Final Thoughts
Every child is different.
A diagnosis is not a label, but a key that opens doors to understanding and support — for the child and for the whole family.
As Dr. Jing Xu says:
“With understanding and guidance, every child can grow and thrive in their own way.”
If you suspect your child may be on the spectrum or want to learn more about our bilingual autism testing, please visit:
👉https://www.mindbodygarden.com/asd-test
Psychological services available in multiple languages (English, Mandarin, Cantonese, French, Turkish, etc.): 650-434-2563; admin@mindbodygarden.com. HSA/FSA accepted. Send us a text message on the phone, or call us and leave a voicemail.
Appointment & Office Locations:
admin@mindbodygarden.com
Office 1 (Los Altos)
885 N. San Antonio Rd., Suite O, Los Altos, CA 94022
Office 2 (SF)
110 Gough Street #402, San Francisco, CA 94102
Office 3 (San Diego)
9920 Pacific Heights Blvd, Suite 150, San Diego, CA 92121
Office 4 (New York)
303 Fifth Avenue, Suite 901, New York, NY 10016