April 20, 2018

Screening for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) at 18 and 24 months has been a standard American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation since 2007. However, research over the last two decades about the early emergence of autism symptoms has prompted a number of researchers and clinicians to create screening instruments and strategies for earlier ages. Patricia Towle Ph.D. and Patricia Patrick DrPH at Westchester Institute for Human Development (WIHD) published a review of such instruments in: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/aurt/2016/4624829/abs/

This work was done under contract with the New York State Department of Health Early Intervention Bureau as part of a project to update the 1999 Clinical Practice Guidelines for children with ASD ages Birth to Three. Several WIHD LEND trainees took part in the evidence-based literature review and together these LEND faculty and trainees authored several posters presented at national conferences. A version of the updated guidelines (Quick Reference) can be found at https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/20152.pdf