Autism Specialist

Smita Tandon, MD

Pediatrician located in Fountain Valley, CA

Every child develops in their own way and on their own timeline. Our job is to notice the signs early, listen to what you're seeing at home, and help guide your family toward the right support, every step of the way.

Autism looks different in every child, which is why our approach to screening, referrals, and ongoing care is never one-size-fits-all.

714-410-1025

Understanding, Supporting, and Celebrating Every Child

What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a child perceives the world, processes information, interacts socially, and communicates with others. It's called a "spectrum" because it looks different in every child: some children need significant daily support, while others need very little.

Autism is a lifelong neurodivergent journey, not a medical illness that needs a "cure." Our goal is to celebrate your child's unique neurodiversity while identifying their developmental profile as early as possible, so we can help them build on their strengths and navigate challenges with confidence.

No two autistic children are alike. Our goal isn't to fit your child into a checklist; it's to understand their individual strengths, challenges, and needs, and build support around them.

Core Characteristics

Clinically, autism is primarily characterized by differences in two main areas:

Social communication and interaction. This can include challenges interpreting body language, facial expressions, or vocal tones; difficulty initiating or maintaining back-and-forth conversation; and navigating friendships or cooperative, imaginative play.

Behavioral patterns and sensory processing. This can include repetitive movements like hand-flapping, rocking, or spinning; a strong preference for consistent routines; deep, focused interests in specific topics; and over- or under-sensitivity to sounds, lights, textures, or tastes.

Recognizing Signs and Symptoms

Early signs often emerge between 12 and 24 months of age, though some developmental differences may be noticeable earlier. Every child is different, and having one or two of these signs doesn't necessarily mean a child has ASD; some children without autism exhibit these behaviors too. A comprehensive evaluation by a qualified professional is essential for an accurate diagnosis, but it's always worth a conversation with us.

Common Signs

Area	What It May Look Like
Social Communication Common	Limited eye contact or facial expressions, not responding to their name, delayed speech or language
Social Cues Common	Difficulty understanding social cues or engaging in back-and-forth conversation
Repetitive Movements Watch	Hand-flapping, rocking, or other repeated physical movements
Focused Interests Watch	Intense, deep focus on specific topics, objects, or activities
Sensory Sensitivities Watch	Strong reactions to sounds, lights, textures, or certain foods

Developmental Screening and Diagnosis

We monitor your child's developmental milestones at every well-child visit. Our evidence-based diagnostic process includes:

Standardized Screenings

We perform routine, formal autism screenings, such as the M-CHAT, at 18, 24, and 30 months, or at any age if you or our medical team have developmental questions.

Comprehensive Evaluation

We carefully observe your child's communication style, social interactions, play behaviors, and sensory sensitivities during clinical examinations.

Collaborative Assessment

We gather feedback from parents, caregivers, and teachers to understand how your child is doing across different environments.

Referral for Formal Evaluation

If screening suggests further evaluation is needed, we refer you to a developmental pediatrician, psychologist, or specialized evaluation team for formal diagnosis.

Early intervention is key. Early intervention services, ideally started before preschool age, leverage the brain's plasticity during early development to enhance communication, social skills, and adaptive behaviors. You don't need to wait for a formal diagnosis to begin; many programs accept referrals based on screening results alone.

Ongoing Clinical & Community Support

Receiving a diagnosis is the first step in a lifelong partnership, not the end of one. We provide continuous, structured support so your family never navigates this journey alone.

Speech-language therapy referrals to support communication and language development.

Occupational therapy referrals to support sensory integration and daily living skills.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) referrals, an evidence-based approach focused on improving specific behaviors and skills.

Physical therapy referrals when motor skills support is needed.

Social skills training to help facilitate peer interaction and social understanding.

School & IEP advocacy, including medical documentation to support Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 plans.

Medical management of common co-occurring conditions, such as sleep disruptions, gastrointestinal challenges, anxiety, or behavioral difficulties.

Family support and education, including resources and guidance to help you support your child's development.

We collaborate closely with families, schools, and therapeutic networks to make sure your child receives a unified, comprehensive care plan, one that grows and adapts as they do.

Schedule a Consultation

If you have concerns about your child's development or want to learn more about our autism services, we're here to talk it through.