A recent study into the challenges around the diagnosis of Autism in children highlighted the urgency for an accurate diagnosis of ASD in children. This urgency for more effective diagnostic tools comes from the increased prevalence of ASD globally. Notably, delayed interventions can lead to undesirable lifelong consequences for affected children (1). The benefits of an early diagnosis are to facilitate early access to support for the child and their family (2). It also increases the chances of personal and social growth, and a walk toward living a fulfilling, independent life (3).
A current study into (SACS), a diagnostic tool for early detection of Autism, has shown very high diagnostic accuracy for early autism detection. The findings of this research mean that SACS can be adopted universally for the early identification of autism (2).
This diagnostic tool is already making a difference in the lives of children with ASD and their families. One mother interviewed expressed her relief in getting her son diagnosed early. She said how it allowed accessing funding for support services such as speech, psychological and occupational therapy (4).
References
- Hus Y, Segal O. Challenges Surrounding the Diagnosis of Autism in Children. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat [Internet]. 2021 Dec 3 [cited 2022 Apr 28];17:3509–29. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8654688/
- Barbaro J, Sadka N, Gilbert M, Beattie E, Li X, Ridgway L, et al. Diagnostic Accuracy of the Social Attention and Communication Surveillance–Revised With Preschool Tool for Early Autism Detection in Very Young Children. JAMA Network Open [Internet]. 2022 Mar 11 [cited 2022 Apr 28];5(3):e2146415. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.46415
- Myers SM, Johnson CP, American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Children With Disabilities. Management of children with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics. 2007 Nov;120(5):1162–82.
- RNZ. Melbourne autism researchers develop the world’s most effective early screening tool for children [Internet]. RNZ. 2022 [cited 2022 Apr 28]. Available from: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/463208/melbourne-autism-researchers-develop-world-s-most-effective-early-screening-tool-for-children
