Considerations in Early Autism Diagnosis

To the Editor Early diagnosis is regarded as a cornerstone of modern medicine as it allows early treatment and hence better outcomes. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis is no exception, and this belief has in turn prompted the implementation of screening tests in toddlers in an attempt to diagnose autism at a very early age. However, there are 2 important caveats to this approach. First, it relies on the accuracy of the diagnostic, screening, or risk prediction tests. Second, to justify this approach, there should be a treatment for the condition, and the efficacy of treatment should improve when the condition is diagnosed earlier.

Source: JAMA Pediatrics - February 5, 2024 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: research