Early Identification of ASD in Young Children

Autism Speaks, Florida State University's FIRST WORDS Project and First Signs have developed a Web-based ASD Video Glossary for parents of children suspected of or recently diagnosed with autism and for professionals who do not have experience in diagnosing young children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). It contains hundreds of video clips contrasting behaviors that are red flags for ASD with behaviors that are typical.

A promising practices report from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services entitled California – Single Process for Diagnosis and Service Delivery describes one-stop clinics in California that have been established to diagnose ASD and start services as early as possible. Findings from an evaluation of these clinics show a four-month reduction in the average age of ASD diagnosis.

A Webcast entitled Screening for Autism and the Management of Neurobehavioral Comorbidities: A Primer for General Pediatricians has been released by the Advanced Studies in Medicine Program at Johns Hopkins University in collaboration with Autism Speaks. It is meant to help pediatricians and other health professionals better understand the signs and symptoms of autism. It is not meant to be used by parents or other caregivers to diagnose autism in their own children.

Materials from the National Conversation on Developmental Screening: Promising Practices for Coordination of Services conference call (June 21, 2007) are available online. This call was sponsored by the National Medical Home Autism Initiative (NMHAI) in collaboration with the American Academy of Pediatrics(AAP) and the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC).

The Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the Child Neurology Society has issued a report on their work in developing Practice Parameters for Screening and Diagnosis of Autism (PDF: 130kb) . These practice parameters have been endorsed by a number of professional organizations.

The American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) Committee on Children with Disabilities has developed a policy statement entitled The Pediatrician's Role in the Diagnosis and Management of Autistic Spectrum Disorders in Children and a related Technical Report. The AAP's National Center for Medical Home Screening Initiatives includes a dedicated page for autism spectrum disorders and the A.L.A.R.M. initiative.

University of Washington Autism Center has developed information on Early Recognition, including Recognizing Autism in Young Children and Toddlers (CHAT) and Early Signs of Autism (PDF: 66kb)

The Autism Society of America (ASA), an advocacy, information and referral organization that for all individuals within the autism spectrum, and their families, has a Web page that contains autism information including characteristics of the disorder, diagnosis, consulting with professionals. Information is available in English and Spanish.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with national partners, is hosting a public awareness campaign entitled Learn the Signs, Act Early. The campaign is meant to help parents and child care providers learn more about early childhood development, including potential early warning signs of autism and other developmental disabilities.

First Signs, Inc. is a national non-profit organization dedicated to educating parents and physicians about the early warning signs of autism and other developmental disorders. First Signs contains information on Red Flags for Atypical Development, tips on how parents and physicians can share concerns about a child's development, screening tools for autism and Asperger's and physician awareness kits. First Signs is working in a number of participating states.

The FIRST WORDS Project is a longitudinal research investigation in the Department of Communication Disorders at Florida State University. The project's major goal is to identify early red flags of developmental language disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and other communication delays in children under 24 months of age.

California Department of Developmental Services developed a document, Autistic Spectrum Disorders: Best Practice Guidelines for Screening, Diagnosis and Assessment and includes a Quick Reference Guide.

National Association of School Psychologists issued a NASP Communique on Professional Issues on in the Assessment of Children with Autism. NASP has developed an ASD Primer for Parents and Educators (PDF: 148kb) .