Early detection is getting a boost with announcements like this:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in partnership with the Autism Society of America (ASA) has announced a joint initiative aimed at boosting awareness of the importance of early screening and intervention for autism.
CDC and ASA will work to identify ways to encourage parents with a child showing signs of developmental delays – particularly in communication or social interaction – to seek help for their child, even before a clinical diagnosis of autism has been made. The effort will involve input from parents of children who have already been diagnosed with autism as well as from health care providers.
The number of people diagnosed with autism is on the rise,” said HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson. “The impact on families as well as autism’s profound effect on the nation’s educational and health care systems points to the need for a better understanding of this troubling condition.”
Read the full story on here.Make sure your pediatrician is well versed on the symtoms and diagnosis of autism.
