New Initiative Provides Free Developmental Assessments for Children Most at Risk for Autism

Excerpt from: Newswise (click for full article)

 

Kennedy Krieger Institute today announced a new, pilot initiative to help identify the red flags of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in infant siblings of children with ASD as early as possible. Research studies have found that for families who have one child with ASD, the chance of a subsequent sibling developing the disorder is one in five. The goal of this new initiative is to put a national spotlight on children most at risk – infant siblings – and to bring support and awareness to those families already affected by the disorder.

“In terms of screening for early diagnosis, a predisposition to autism should not be treated differently than a predisposition to cancer or diabetes,” says Rebecca Landa, Ph.D., director, Center for Autism and Related Disorders at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. Beginning in April, Dr. Landa’s team will provide free developmental assessments for infants between ages five to 10 months who have an older sibling diagnosed with ASD and live within a Mid-Atlantic five-state region or the District of Columbia.