Autism screening at age one gets mixed reception

[LabDoc]

3rd May 2011
Linda McSweeny reporting in Medical Observer

AUSTRALIAN experts have urged caution following US research suggesting screening for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) can begin as early as age one year.

Paediatricians in the US screened 10,479 infants at their one-year check-up using a five-minute parent report questionnaire, finding 184 who required evaluation.

Thirty-two of the infants received a provisional or final diagnosis of ASD and 56 of language delay, with the researchers estimating a positive predictive value of the screen of 75%.

Read more: http://tinyurl.com/3s5goce (http://tinyurl.com/3s5goce)

[mellowsong]

My youngest daughter, now 29 was diagnosed at age 7 months. They spent 6 months telling me I was acting like a first time mother and there was nothing wrong with my child. Well, she was floppy, limp, and wasn't meeting any developmental milestones. The biggest thing was, the child never slept. In the newborn nursery the nurses kept commenting on both the fact she didn't sleep and the fact that screamed..not just cried, but screamed almost 24/7. The doc wouldn't pay attention to them nor to me. They sent her home jaundiced and he refused to do another test. When I brought her to the ER, the color of a pumpkin 2 days later, her bilirubin was 20. Brain damage occurs at 21. They admitted they had no idea if it was on it's way down or had peaked at 20. Still, for months, same doc wouldn't listen and refused to see her. Finally, I'd had enough. My baby sitter had given me 3 days to find someone else, the base day care had already tried and said she couldn't come back. I was active duty Air Force and a pharmacy instructor. I took her to the clinic and sat outside his office starting at 7AM. He kept coming out telling the nurse at the desk to tell me to go away, he wasn't going to see us. However, she was on my side and rooting for me. At 5PM he finally called me into his office and golly gee...actually LOOKED at her.

She was 6 months old. Even he admitted she had not quit crying the whole time we were out there, the nurse noted that she did not go to sleep. At 6 months, she could not roll all the way over, sit up unsupported, made no babbling noises, etc etc. Holding her was either like holding a rag doll or a tree trunk...limp or rigid, no in between. So, I got a referral to a pediatric neurologist who admitted he didn't have any idea what was wrong but something was. Amazing that someone admitted they were lost. He then made a referral to a infant neuro-psychiatrist, something I'd never heard of. This guy was one of a handful in the world at that time. He spent hours with me and my daughter. At the end, he said, very coldly: "She's either retarded or autistic, my hunch is autistic and you need to put her in an institution". I was floored and no way was my child being dumped in an institution. I requested and was granted a hardship discharge and in less than a week, was home with my kids.

We were blessed with her being put into an early intervention program at age 2 1/2. I also knew that diet affected her behavior and she spent 3 years on nothing but chicken, rice and green beans. By kindergarten, she was able to go to a regular school and there was no question about intelligence. At one point, we were told the diagnosis must have been wrong and she just outgrew "crossed wires". I believed that for close to 20 years until I learned about Asperger's syndrome. At 29, married and the mother of 2, there is no doubt that she is on the autism spectrum, but she functions and is a lovely young lady. So, yeah, they CAN make the diagnosis early I think if both the parents (in my case it was just me...he was oblivious...just thought she didn't like him) and the doctors can get on the same page. Her symptoms were present from birth.

[Islander]

That story is a credit to your persistence, Mellowsong...a characteristic that has served you well in life.

[Maurya]

What a wonderful story, Mellowsong! This is one more reason why we treasure your wisdom that you share with all of us.

[Aaltrude]

A wonderful story with a good outcome mellow.

[Reesacat]

Your daughter was blessed to have you for her Mother, Mellow-an amazing story of a Mother's love and perseverance!

[mellowsong]

Thanks y'all :)