Two new clinical reports: One addresses early identification and evaluation, and the other addresses management of children with ASDs.
Early identification of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) allows early intervention, investigation of potential etiologies, and counseling for parents about risk for recurrence. To guide pediatricians, the AAP recently published two new clinical reports: One addresses early identification and evaluation of children with ASDs, and the other addresses treatment management. The impetus for these reports includes new data on the validity and reliability of screening instruments for early recognition of ASDs in primary care, an emerging literature on the benefits of early recognition and intervention, and several areas of research that define specific etiologies for some children with ASDs.
In addition, ASDs are not uncommon. Recent U.S. estimates…