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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]One of my kids just got diagnosed with ASD at age 2. The place that diagnosed her (major medical center in Midwest) is quite insistent that her (fraternal) twin sister should be tested due to "genetic risk". This seems ridiculous to me, since (a) no one is suggesting that my other kid has autism, not EI, not SLP, not NICU follow-up team, etc., and (b) she has no symptoms. She talks normally, is social, has no sensory issues, throws tantrums like a normal 2-year-old, but doesn't have extreme meltdowns or anything, no feeding issues, etc. Plus, I doubt that the risk is genetic-- the risk is that they were born at 25 weeks. Would you even bother to test her?[/quote]

At age 2 with no red flags? No way. The "testing" they do would be a huge waste of money. You would report she's social, has no sensory issues and her development is on track. Her other caregivers would report the same and the "experts" would tell you that your child does not have autism or at least no symptoms as of yet. 
Diagnoses at age 2 are always a little uncertain so it's possible your other child may "grow out" of her diagnosis by the time she's older. In the meantime I'm sure you'll notice any issues that come up with the sibling as she gets older and if needed you know where to go for testing. I see no advantage of getting her tested now and I see a lot of potential downside. The money, time, stress but also the stigma of having the diagnosis if she ends up not having it later. It sounds like the one child needs help but if this one doesn't right now what's the point?[/quote]

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