According to Kathleen Doheny
“About one in 110 children in the U.S. has autism or autism spectrum disorder, a group of developmental disabilities that cause social, behavioral, and communication challenges.”
She notes that there is a simple, 5-minute screening checklist that doctors can use to detect signs of autism and other developmental delays as soon as the child’s first birthday.
Throughout San Diego County, 137 pediatricians participated in a study for the 12-month “well” baby visit. Doctors asked the parents to respond to the 24-item checklist. Questions about the child’s emotions, eye gaze, communication, gestures, and other behaviors were included.
Do you know when your child is happy and when your child is upset?
Does your child do things just to get you to laugh?
Does your child string sounds together, such as uh oh, mamma, gaga, bye-bye?
When you call your child’s name, does he/she respond by looking or turning toward you?
Does your child wave to greet people?
Does your child smile or laugh while looking at you?
Autism, autism spectrum disorder, language delays, or other developmental problems were diagnosed 75% of the time using this screen. Of the 10,479 infants screened, 1,318 children failed.
This new study on autism, CSBS DP IT checklist (Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales Developmental Profile Infant-Toddler), is published online in the Journal of Pediatrics and is free for downloading. Learn more.
