Primary Care Doctors Can Be Trained To Reliably Diagnose ASD

 Primary care clinicians who receive special training can correctly diagnose autism in most cases, researchers say, potentially alleviating long waits children often face for evaluations. Read More >

'Profound Autism' Accounts For More Than 1 In 4 Cases, CDC Finds

With a new report, the CDC is tacitly embracing a recently coined autism classification and providing a first-of-its-kind breakdown on the number of kids on the severe versus milder ends of the spectrum. Read More >

Eye Test Could Help Screen Kids For Autism, Researchers Say

 Technology that measures how the eye's pupil responds to light is showing promise as a screening tool that could help identify children with autism at younger ages.  Read More >

Test Can Predict Autism In Kids — Using Their Hair, Study Says

 A groundbreaking new test can predict the future emergence of autism in young children and infants using a single strand of hair, researchers say, potentially lowering the average age of diagnosis. Read More >

PBS To Air Documentary On First Person With Autism

 A documentary about the first person ever diagnosed with autism is heading to television. Read More >

Test Commonly Used To Diagnose Autism May Be Unnecessary

 A test that's often required for children to receive an autism diagnosis may be unnecessary and eliminating it could make the process faster, easier and cheaper, researchers say. Read More >

Pediatricians Get New Guidance On Cerebral Palsy

 

A pair of major health organizations are issuing new guidance to doctors about how to identify children with cerebral palsy and appropriately treat the condition. Read More >

FDA Approves Device To Help Identify Autism Earlier

 

Federal regulators authorized a new device aimed at helping doctors decide whether or not children as young as 16 months have autism. Read More >

Autism Prevalence Rising Globally

 It's not just the U.S. New research finds that autism prevalence is growing around the world and experts say that shows progress. Read More >

Pediatricians Get New Guidance On Caring For Kids With Down Syndrome

 The nation's pediatricians are getting updated advice on how to provide the best care for children with Down syndrome from when they are still in utero through early adulthood. Read More >

New Book Highlights Challenges Faced By Latino Parents Of Kids With Autism

 While the prevalence of autism across the country has increased in recent years, historically there have been disproportionately lower rates of the diagnosis in Hispanic and Latino communities. Read More >

Families Face Roadblocks In Getting Help For Kids With Developmental Disabilities

 Many children face barriers to accessing services like screenings or early intervention due to fear, lack of health insurance or financial and housing instability. Read More >

Push To Add 'Profound Autism' Label Gains Steam

 

There are growing calls to differentiate people with the most severe autism symptoms from others on the spectrum in the diagnostic process, but not everyone is on board. Read More >

Kids' Medical Records May Hold Clues To Autism Screening

 

New research points to a simple way to flag children at risk for autism that has the potential to cut the rate of false positives of traditional screening in half. Read More >

With Crossover Between Autism And Mental Health, Diagnosis Can Be Tricky

 Recent studies show a strong link between autism and mental health and the prevalence of mental health disorders in kids with autism appears to increase as they get older. Read More >

Intervention For Babies Greatly Reduces Odds Of Autism Diagnosis, Study Finds

 A first-of-its-kind study finds that intervention for infants showing signs of autism can dramatically reduce symptom severity and lessen the chance that a child will later be diagnosed. Read More >

FDA Approves Device To Help Detect Autism

 Federal regulators authorized a first-of-its-kind device to help doctors determine whether a child has autism, potentially allowing kids to be diagnosed sooner by avoiding waits for specialists. Read More >

Can An App Spot Kids With Autism?

 Researchers say they are one step closer to using a smartphone app to identify children with autism. Read More >

Newborn Screening May Contain Autism Clues

 A simple, routine test may be able to detect autism in newborn children, researchers say. Read More >

How Families Are Fighting Racism And Disability Discrimination

 Many parents of children with special needs — regardless of race — struggle to receive prompt diagnoses and services. But for families of color, the challenge is more acute. Read More >