A nurse is reinforcing education to the parent of a 5-year-old client who has manifestations consistent with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Which of the following statements should the nurse reinforce about the screening process for ASD?

A. "Screening involves a combination of parent interviews, observations, and standardized developmental screening tools." The diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is based on behavioral assessments, including parent-reported history, clinical observations, and standardized screening tools such as the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT). B. "ASD can be definitively diagnosed with a simple blood test, so we will schedule one for your child." There is no blood test or biomarker that can diagnose ASD. Diagnosis is based on behavioral and developmental criteria rather than laboratory tests. C. "The screening process for ASD is usually completed in one visit to the healthcare provider." ASD screening and diagnosis require multiple evaluations over time, often involving developmental specialists, psychologists, and speech therapists to get a comprehensive understanding of the child’s behaviors. D. "If your child makes eye contact with you, we can rule out autism spectrum disorder." While reduced eye contact is a common characteristic of ASD, some children with ASD do make eye contact, and the presence or absence of this behavior alone does not confirm or rule out the disorder.