New Autism Screening recommendations

The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that ALL children be specifically and systematically screened for autism at their 18 month and 2 year old well checks. A questionnaire should be given to parents at both visits and reviewed by the doctor. While there is no one perfect screening test, the one being recommended by the AAP is called the "M CHAT". It is available in the public domain and we will post it on our website for you to download shortly.

The goal is to identify children at risk at an earlier age so that therapy can begin as soon as possible. Kids who have early intensive therapy clearly do better.

Comments

[Autismville]

This is absolutely wonderful news. If my son had been screened at 18 months, he most definitely would have been diagnosed then. He languished for 6 months, receiving no intervention, until he was diagnosed at 2.

I know that because of the new screening criteria, children just like my Jack will be identified and helped so much earlier...It's progress that I am incredbily thankful for...