New Autism-Screening Guide Seeks Earlier Diagnosis

The report doesn’t include a lot of new information, but it provides important reinforcement about how best to care for children on the autism spectrum, says Stephanie Lee, PsyD, a licensed psychologist and interim senior director of the Autism Center at the Child Mind Institute in New York City.

“The more that this can get out there to pediatricians who are really on the front line, the better,” she says.

“This report really emphasizes the importance of pediatricians partnering with parents and caregivers to ensure that each child’s plan for treatment is individualized and targets specific skill development that will lead to long-lasting change for the family,” she says.