Looking for autism

Autism is not exactly something that parents want their children to find, it is understandable that parents may feel uncomfortable for her. But looking at autism is important - and it is something that has become part of routine pediatric care.

Currently, one in 68 children have been diagnosed with a disorder of the autism spectrum. This means that autism is very common. And - which is what is really important - getting help early makes all the difference.

Every visit in the early years, pediatricians continue the development of children carefully. We wonder how they learn to move and use your hands and walk and talk and play. We seek not only to autism, of course; There are many reasons why some children may have delays or problems in their development, and we want to catch them all.

When we see that the child is late to talk or does not relate to other people and play in ways that might normally be expected for their age, we think about autism. Many practices give parents complete questionnaires that ask about the symptoms of autism. This allows us more detail than we could get just to talk to information for parents.

The good news is that most children do not have autism. Be a little late to talk or be shy, or just weird are all more common than autism. But get help early can make a difference, no matter what happens, so when we see something that worries us, we take a closer look.

There are a few ways to get a little closer. Children from birth to three years can be assessed and receive early intervention services, a program for children with problems or risks of development. Most services are provided at home (or daycare or elsewhere working for the family) and at no cost to the family. Children over three years may obtain an assessment and services through local public schools.

Parents can call the early intervention or reach their local public schools on their own, but can be useful when medical help to the reference. Thus, the concern is transmitted more clearly, we can be aware of the reference and ensure that monitoring pass through, and it helps build a team - it's a wonderful thing for any child.

The other way, we can look more closely at a child grows more slowly or differently to others is through an appointment with a specialist, usually a developmental pediatrician (pediatrician who has received additional training in development child) or a neurologist. Very often we will make a referral to a specialist, with reference to the intervention or schools earlier to get the most complete picture possible.

It is always tempting to say, "Oh, she's just a late bloomer," and do nothing at all. And indeed, there is a lot of delay. But even later, they can grow faster with a little help. Every child deserves a little help, I think.

For more information on what your child's milestones to be achieved at different ages, check out the main principles of the Act, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And please, if you have any concerns at all, speak with your doctor. We're here to help.
By: Claire McCarthy,MD.