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U.S. leading pediatricians are urging all parents to have their children screened for autism at least twice before 2-year-old, according to media reports Monday. (File Photo)
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BEIJING, Oct. 30 (Xinhuanet) -- U.S. leading
pediatricians are urging all parents to have their children screened for autism
at least twice before 2-year-old, according to media reports Monday.
The American Academy of Pediatricians recommends that
early detection of autism can improve a child's chances for effective treatment.
The new reports say that children with suspected
autism should begin treatment even before a formal diagnosis. Because autism can
be difficult to diagnose, the American Academy of Pediatrics has listed new
guidelines for what subtle behavioral signs pediatricians should be on the
lookout for.
They say not babbling by nine months and not pointing
to toys by one year can be symptoms. Other warning signs include a four month
old not smiling at the sound of a parents' voice, language or social skills
disappearing and failure to make eye contact. But, not every child who displays
these signs has autism.
"Sometimes their muscle tone is very low, so if they
don't roll over early enough, if they have fine motor skills problems, they
don't clap their hands. If they're extremely quiet or have stomach problems,"
explained Marguerite Colston, spokeswoman for the Autism Society of America.
"Just as a parent, I can tell you that if a child doesn't make eye contact, if
they don't play games by 12 months of age with their parents like patty-cake and
that sort of thing, then you really should see your pediatrician and ask to see
a neurologist or a developmental pediatrician."
To help guide parents as to what autism is (and is
not), the nonprofit group autismspeaks has also just put out a website that has
dozens of video clips of autistic children, contrasted with children of the same
age with normal behavior.
Recommended treatment for autism should include at
least 25 hours a week of both behavioral and speech therapy.
(Agencies)
