(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- New guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends all children should be screened for autism at one and a half and 2 years of age. A typical evaluation to diagnose autism can take two to four hours. Now a quick new screening test can help doctors determine if a toddler is at risk.
Even before Ben's first birthday, his mom started worrying about autism.
"He wasn't imitating us,“Katy Crowther, Ben's mother told Ivanhoe. “He wasn't pointing or clapping or playing any of those sort of interactive games."
Though her pediatrician told her it was too early, Katy pushed for autism testing at just 14 months. Early intervention has made all the difference.
"There's still a gap between Ben and his typical peers that you can see," Crowther explained. “But he has caught up tremendously."
This is the 
Rapid ABC is a new screening that uses simple activities to test for autism. Experts check to see how toddlers respond to activities like having their name called, looking at a book, being tickled and playing ball.
The five minute screening targets attention, reciprocity and communication in children ages 15 to 17 months. Once it's complete, a software program computes a score. If autism is suspected, the child will undergo further testing.
"There really isn't something quick and rapid like the ABC out there where pediatricians can interact for just three to five minutes," Jenny Mathys, MSSA, LCSW, of Emory Autism Center, Atlanta, GA, said.
"It'll help parents and myself to feel comfortable that I'm doing everything I can to identify if there was an issue," Jessica Sales, Cooper's Mom explained.
Five minutes that could make a world of difference for a toddler's future. The Rapid ABC test was developed by Emory University and Georgia Tech. Studies show it's accurate in identifying toddlers at risk for autism spectrum disorders who need further 
testing and intervention.
Researchers say the goal now is to make the test part of regular pediatric checkups at 18 months and 24 months. Emory researchers hope to begin making the test available to pediatricians in Georgia within the next few months.
Related Articles in Latest Medical News:
|
