The screening and diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorders. This lengthy article is the result of a systematic review of over 2,500 scientific articles in the literature pertaining to autism. A multidisciplinary Consensus Panel consisting of representatives of nine professional organizations and four parent organizations, with liaisons from the National Institutes of Health completed this review sponsored by the Child Neurology Society and American Academy of Neurology to formulate Practice Parameters.
Broad discussion is presented here.
The prevalence estimates have increased to 10-20 per 10,000, or one in every 500 to 1,000 people. Every health care or educational agency serving young children can expect to see children with autism. Positive outcomes of accurate diagnosis far outweigh the negative effects, and families universally express the desire to be informed as early as possible. Early identification is important because intensive early intervention results in improved outcomes. An elimination process of screening, probing and evaluating is recommended for all children.