Giving Compass' Take:

• Seattle's Childrens reports on an approach to diagnosing autism that is team-based and collaborative (rather than psychology- and physician-led). This has helped open up treatment options at earlier ages.

• Are we supporting enough research in this field so that such "interdisciplinary" methods are more prevalent? Do enough parents have access to them?

• Here's how philanthropy can help make an impact on autism: focus on families.

Some say "it takes a village to raise a child." At Seattle Children’s Autism Center, this concept came to life to a certain degree through the development of a collaborative method for diagnosing autism in children that aimed to improve the diagnostic process and increase efficiency, with the potential of leading to better patient outcomes.

Linda Bittinger’s 9-year-old son Brendan found his "village" at the Autism Center in June 2017 when a team made up of providers from different disciplines came together for a thoughtful diagnostic evaluation that would shape his treatment path to progress.

“When we received his diagnosis, I felt a sense of optimism,” said Bittinger. “I had less worries knowing there were opportunities for treatment. And since then, he’s made tremendous strides.”

Located near the main hospital campus, Seattle Children’s Autism Center provides assessment, diagnosis, treatment and support for autism spectrum disorders. The Autism Center offers a range of medical and mental health services for preschool and school age children, adolescents and young adults.

Read the full article about an interdisciplinary approach to diagnosing autism by Anna Altavas at Seattle's Children.