NEW YORK (NBC) A simple questionnaire can detect very subtle signs of autism as early as 12 months. Some doctors suspect widespread use of the check-list might catch as many as half of all autism cases.
May doctors take a "wait and see" approach to autism. It seems reasonable when you consider that wide range of "normal". But those who have a serious communication delay or full-blown autism often aren't diagnosed until at least age two or three.
Dr. Max Wiznitzer with Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital is concerned.
"That means we've wasted time during which brain development might be positively affected by intervention," Wiznitzer said.
Now intervention may come much earlier when children are flagged with a simple check-list at their 12-month doctor's visit.
Dr. Karen Pierce looked at the effect of surveying parents about their babies' communication and language skills at their one year check-up.
"The screen just says something is wrong -- it doesn't tell you what is wrong," Pierce explained. "Doesn't tell you what you should do."
Of more than 10,000 babies -- 184 failed the screening and were sent to a specialist. A quarter turned out to be just fine. But 75-percent either had a significant delay or were later diagnosed with autism.
Those who needed treatment were able to start at around 18 months.
"This is a well-designed study that succinctly and concisely address their specific question: Can we use this checklist to screen for autism and other developmental disorders? And they did it," Wiznitzer said.
Now the push is to get more doctors to use the check-list at the 1-year mark so kids can stay on track.
The check-list is free and available online here.
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