Can Autism Risk Be Detected Just Days After Birth?

According to a 2013 report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in 68 children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders.

With a rise in diagnosis in recent years, the pressure is on to intervene with therapy earlier in life and improve function and quality of. But, just how early are the signs of autism evident?

Research conducted by a team of occupational therapists and physicians at Washington University in St. Louis aims to help detect signs of autism and altered development earlier in life, so that services, like occupational therapy, can be offered sooner in order to improve children's adaptive skills and outcome.

A study published in the current issue of the American Journal of Occupational Therapy identified differences in early eye movements among pre-term infants who later had a positive screening result for autism. However, the differences observed were not consistent with the traditional symptoms of autism observed later in childhood.

Dr. Roberta Pineda joins host Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss the recent report that suggests autism risk might be able to be detected just a few days after birth.