Health experts are advising all physicians who care for children to look for early signs of autism spectrum disorders.
Two new clinical reports from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) provide information on the early diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders, including autistic disorder, Asperger disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder–not otherwise specified. Both reports will be part of the new AAP practical resource for pediatricians, AUTISM: Caring for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Resource Toolkit for Clinicians.
The most significant recommendation is to screen all children at age 18 months and 24 months. "This is the first time that the Academy has recommended universal screening rather than just when a parent is concerned," said co-author Chris Plauche Johnson, MD, MEd, clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
