Autism Diagnosis Struggles Abound

Diagnosing an autism spectrum disorder in a child can be a time-consuming and painstaking process for a parent. However, some parents say it's a road worth traveling to help your child get a better life.

The Minnesota Autism Center (MAC) is all about improving the lives of children, and if anyone knows the importance of these therapies, it's the mother of four brothers, all diagnosed with autism.

Mehar Mastoor says, "God is helping me he has blessed me with this place, he has blessed me with so many good people."

Mastoor wants to make sure other parents struggling get the same help. The signs for all of her boys, the same: no eye contact, not responding to their names and isolating themselves from other children.

"It was difficult watching, my child is not your typical child," she said.

That part is difficult enough, getting an assessment was more challenging for Mastoor. It took up to a year to get a diagnosis for her first two

Those at MAC say the problems often starts with not getting to the right people because autism isn't the first thing considered.

At MAC, up to three assessors test the child with the diagnosis made in a few weeks, and the younger the better -- as a diagnosis at two is now possible.

"Early intervention is going to be the best for any child to be able to head off autism very early and not allow the behaviors that accumulate when a child can't speak," said Deb Otto of MAC.

If there's anyone who can relate to parents struggling to get a diagnosis it's Mehar Mastoor.

"It's a challenging struggle but I'm telling you please stay on the path of struggle, just don't give up," said Mastoor.