Checklist May Identify Signs of Autism at 1 Year
Autism affects millions of lives in the US. Over the past 20 years, we’ve seen a 600% increase in the numbers of cases of autism. In fact, one in every 100 children has autism. The disorder has a tremendous impact on a child’s daily life, making their ability to communicate and interact with others extremely challenging. While there is no cure for autism, doctors believe that the earlier a child is diagnosed, the better the treatment results.
A new study led by Dr. Karen Pierce of the University of California at San Diego suggests that a checklist performed at a baby’s one year checkup has the potential to identify autism spectrum disorders or ASD. In the study, 137 pediatricians in San Diego agreed to use the autism checklist for all babies visiting their practice for a one-year well baby exam. The checklist covered the baby’s ability to recognize objects, make eye contact, sounds, words and gestures.
The questionnaire takes parents roughly 5 minutes to fill out, and the pediatrician can use those responses to guide their predictions about whether the child might have ASD or another developmental delay. If a child fails the test, he receives further testing and is evaluated every 6 months for signs of the disorder up until he turns three years old.
The study group screened approximately 10,500 babies at their one-year-well baby exam. Of these babies, 184 failed the test and were sent for further evaluation.
● 32 were diagnosed with ASD
● 56 had learning disabilities
● 9 had developmental delays
● 36 were diagnosed with “other” learning deficits
Five babies initially diagnosed with ASD did not have symptoms once they reached approximately 32 months. They can’t confirm it, but Pierce and her colleagues wonder if these babies no longer have an autism diagnosis because they benefited from early diagnosis and treatment.
Overall, the test was successfully able to warn of the potential for autism at the one-year mark in babies. Typically, autism screening doesn’t start until a child is two years old and a diagnosis won’t be made until around the age of five. Remember, typically the earlier a child is diagnosed and treated the better the results.
There is a downside. Forty-six out of the 184 babies that failed the checklist did not have autism or a developmental delay. This means that the test has a high false-positive rate. One in every four babies will falsely be identified as needing further evaluation for autism, and their parents will be put through unnecessary worry. Some parents consider the potential for false diagnoses worth the heartache given the fact that correctly diagnosed babies will get the treatment and support they need as early as possible.
Despite the downside, people seem generally optimistic about the study results. Ninety-six percent of pediatricians participating in the study gave it positive reviews. All of the pediatricians continue to use this screening test in their practice.
If you are interested in finding out more about clinical trials actively recruiting volunteers to help in the study and treatment of autism spectral disorders, please visit our site at www.paidclinicaltrials.org.
Venita Gresham Watson, Ph.D
Tags: early signs of autism in infants, signs of autism, signs of autism in 2 year old, signs of autism in children, signs of autism in infants, what are the signs of autism
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