Is Your Child's Diagnosis Correct?
Autism diagnosis in India varies enormously in quality. A clinical observation by a trained child psychiatrist at a government center uses standardized tools (CARS, ADOS-2, DSM-5 criteria) and typically takes 2–4 hours. An informal 20-minute consultation at a private clinic may not. Getting a second opinion is not disloyal — it is responsible parenting.
When You Should Seek a Second Opinion
1. The assessment was very short (under 45 minutes) and felt superficial
2. No standardized tool was mentioned — the doctor did not use CARS, ADOS, ADI-R, or equivalent
3. The diagnosis was unclear — "borderline", "not quite autism but similar" with no formal label
4. Your child was diagnosed with ONLY intellectual disability without autism being explored
5. You feel the assessment missed things — the child behaved unusually that day, or key information was not gathered
6. The recommended treatment plan seems wrong — medication-only approach without therapy, or vice versa
7. Co-occurring conditions were not explored — ADHD, anxiety, sensory processing, seizures
Where to Get a Quality Second Opinion in India
Government / Public Hospitals (free or low cost):
- NIMHANS, Bangalore — gold standard, long waiting time (3–6 months)
- AIIMS Child Psychiatry, Delhi — highly qualified, 2–3 month wait
- NIMH, Hyderabad — good for South India
- IPGME&R/SSKM, Kolkata
- KEM Hospital, Mumbai
State Government Children's Hospitals: Most state capitals have child psychiatry units. Quality varies — ask specifically for a doctor trained in autism assessment.
Private (₹2,000–10,000 for full assessment):
- Look for a child psychiatrist or developmental pediatrician with autism sub-speciality training
- Ask: "Do you use CARS-2 or ADOS-2 for assessment?"
What to Bring for a Second Opinion
- Previous reports and prescriptions
- School progress reports / teacher feedback
- Short videos of your child across different contexts (home, therapy, public)
- List of current symptoms and your observations
- Any therapy records (speech, OT, ABA)
After a Second Opinion
If both opinions agree: proceed with confidence.
If they disagree: discuss the discrepancy explicitly with both doctors. Consider a third assessment at a government tertiary center.
A diagnosis is not permanent — it should be reviewed every 1–2 years, especially during early childhood when development changes rapidly.