New Screening Test May Detect Autism In Kids As Young As One Year

A new, simple screening test outlined in the Journal of Pediatrics yesterday may help detect the early warning signs and symptoms of autism spectrum disorders in children as young as one year old. The 24 question test takes only 5 minutes to administer, and could lead to breakthroughs in early intervention for children diagnosed with the disorder. The current “gold standard” diagnostic test (known as the M-CHAT& test) is not typically considered accurate in detecting autism in children younger than 2 years old.

Dr. Karen Pierce, a neuroscientist responsible for developing the test, hopes that this earlier detection will lead to better outcomes for the diagnosed children. From PBS NEWSHOUR:

Studies have shown that children with autism who started treatment early had higher IQs, better language abilities and behavior and fewer autism symptoms. Brain circuitry is starting to be formed in heavy earnest during the first three years of life. If you can get in there before or even while these brain cells are starting to talk to each other, and if you can try to reinforce and expose the child to learning situations, social situations and give treatment while these connections are being formed, you have a much better chance at changing outcomes.

With cases of autism on the rise in the U.S., the medical community — as well as parents and educators — are hard at work for reliable new approaches to ASD diagnoses and treatment.

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Susan T.

9:56AM PDT on May 8, 2011

Sounds good, but prevention is even more important. There are many scientists who believe the extremely aggressive vaccine schedule for infants and toddlers is to blame for the increase in autism. BTW Suzen R - this does NOT prove that vaccines don't cause autism. By one year of age children in the U.S. have usually had at least 16 doses of various vaccines.

Also I echo David W's question about "starting treatment" for autism. What type of treatment are they referring to? Drugs?

send a green star

Lillian M.

6:23AM PDT on May 6, 2011

Anything that is beneficial to children I am all for it.

Sue M.

9:36AM PDT on May 4, 2011

thanks for this post.

Alexandra R.

8:09PM PDT on May 3, 2011

Should like to know a lot more about this.

Carole C.

3:28PM PDT on May 3, 2011

And??? As a parent of individuals on the spectrum and also someone working in this field, I really would appreciate more information. Thanks for this.

David W.

4:52AM PDT on May 3, 2011

"Studies have shown that children with autism who started treatment early had higher IQs, better language abilities and behavior and fewer autism symptoms". What type of treatment is being referred to here? Hopefully not drugs surely?

Lynda P.

8:20AM PDT on May 2, 2011

This is a positive step in helping to give autistic kids, and their families,a better quality of life. It is vital, however, that we continue an aggressive investigation into the cause of this puzzling condition.

Berny P.

3:11AM PDT on May 2, 2011

Good!

Suzen R.

6:56PM PDT on May 1, 2011

Good information. At least this proves that vaccines do not cause autism that it is genetic.

John S.

9:37AM PDT on May 1, 2011

Thanks, anything that could help will be a relieve to the parents. Lets hope more good news come soon for them.