A device that has been marketed as a way to detect autism in children under four years old has some doctors worried.

• The LENA Language and Autism Screener is a small monitor meant to fit into children's overalls.
  
• Children ages two to four years old wear the device and overalls for 12 hours, and then their parents mail the device back to the company for evaluation.
  
• The results of the test are based on the child's language ability, which is not always an accurate test for autism.

According to the spokesperson for the manufacturers of the device, parents need to bring the information to a professional, because "it is not a diagnosis, it is a detection."

Parents' reliance on the devices may due to the brevity of many doctor's appointments. Some "well baby" visits last about 10 minutes -- and parents who suspect something is wrong may believe that their pediatrician is not taking the time to address their concerns.

Labels: autism, screening, health_care

Posted By: Aspen/CRC 0 Comments

A child who is fidgeting or running around may just be boisterous. But about 5 percent of children who behave this way have diagnosable ADD/ADHD. Author Diane Paul has released a book aimed at helping parents not only get proper diagnoses for their kids, but learn how to navigate a sometimes complicated system.

"Whether you are a parent or teacher, being equipped with the facts will enable you to make informed decisions. Knowledge is the key. Finding out as much as you can is crucial. This book is your starting point."

Published by Need2Know, the book, titled ADHD - The Essential Guide, is in stores now. Source: MediLexicon

Labels: diagnosis, health_care, support

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have implemented an experimental program aimed at helping primary care physicians better diagnose and treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in children. The program is centered on the standardized evidence-based diagnosis and treatment guidelines established by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

"The intervention consisted of an innovative training program developed by Cincinnati Children's on how to implement AAP diagnosis and treatment guidelines. The training focused on modifying office systems to accommodate the AAP guidelines."

Eighty-four Cincinnati-based physicians participated in the program, which resulted in a nearly 50 percent increase in the use of parent and teacher ADHD rating scales and a 35 percent increase in systematic monitoring of patient medication. Source: Huliq.com

Labels: treatment, diagnosis, health_care

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments