"We're just terrible at identifying them at six months, even 12 months," said Dr. Kelly Botteron, child psychiatrist. "We really need something more like a laboratory test."
She and others are testing siblings of autistic children because they are at higher risk for the condition. This study will be ongoing for five years.
If treatment starts early, children have a better chance of functioning at higher levels. Autism is diagnosed every 20 minutes in the United States, and affects one in 150 children. The condition affects communication skills and social interaction, and involves repetitive behaviors.
Labels: autism, screening, testing
Posted By: Aspen Education Group
