Acting early can make a big difference in your child's development!
When Does the American Academy of Pediatrics Recommend Autism Screening?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends screening for autism at a child's 18 month and 24 month well-child visit.
Early Signs
Children tend to display developmental differences mainly in their social and language skills. Below are some social and communication differences to look for.
Social Differences
Makes very little eye contact or no eye contact
Shows less or no response to parent's facial expressions
May not look at objects a parent is pointing to
May not have appropriate facial expressions
Communication Differences
Less likely to point at things or share things with others
Says no single words by 15 months or no 2-word phrases by 24 months
Does not understand the meaning of what someone says and repeats it (parroting)
The MCHAT, Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, is the most common screening tool for autism used in pediatricians offices. LSU EHS-CCP uses this same tool to screen children in our program at the recommended ages of 18 months and 24 months.