WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |Autism Screening Test
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MADISON, WI (WKOW) - An autism diagnosis can be devastating for parents.
Early intervention is key in helping these young kids.
Now a diagnosis could potentially come sooner if a new screening test makes it out of study and into doctors offices.
We're talking about a 5 minute autism screening test that could help doctors make a diagnosis earlier.
A recent study in the journal "Pediatrics" found that despite screening recommendations, only 8 percent of pediatricians routinely screen their young patients.
This new test could be a quick way for busy doctors to screen patients.
Reagan Williams is part of a study to help diagnose autism.
Austism Specialist Jenny Mathys says, "As an autism specialist, I sort of have my microscope and I'm looking at certain pivotal behaviors."
So, when she's tossing a ball around, she's able to see more than just the child's coordination.
According to Mathys, "I'm looking at, for example, attention or eye contact. How is the child's eye contact? is the child looking at me when i'm greeting them?"
Making eye contact is hard for autistic kids.
So combining this observed play with a questionnaire filled out by a parent, pediatricians may be able to quickly tell if a child is at risk and needs further testing.
"It's giving us some pretty rich information regarding their social communication skills.", says Mathys.
The test, formally called Rapid Attention Back and Forth Screener-or Rapid A-B-C, may eventually be used by pediatricians.
"We see this as something clinicians and pediatricians can use during an 18-month and 24-month well baby check visit, to really screen all children, whether they're typically developing or having any sort of atypical development or delays in their development.", says Mathys.
Reagan's evaluation shows no signs of autism.
But her results will be used in the study as part of a control group.
Mom, Cortney Williams says "Anything I could do to help someone recognize the early signs of it makes me feel very good."
And the belief is, this screening test will do just that.
If a child is screened and needs the full evaluation, they'll then undergo testing that takes anywhere from two to four hours.
This current study is taking place right now in Atlanta only.
The hope is it will eventually become a nationwide study.
