A new study from the University of California in Davis found that symptoms of autism occur in the latter part of the first year of life, and are not detectable in babies under six months old.

Instead of asking parents about their children's symptoms, a research team led by Professor Sally Ozonoff observed and recorded children's smiles, babbles, and eye contact at ages six, 12, 18, 24, and 36 months old.

"This study tells us that screening for autism early in the first year of life probably is not going to be successful because there is not going to be anything to notice," said Dr. Ozonoff.

This study appeared in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Labels: autism

Posted By: Aspen/CRC