The two-minute test that could detect autism in toddlers
A simple two-minute test may be able to detect autism in toddlers at an earlier stage than ever before.
Detecting symptoms of autism in toddlers has long been a challenge for researchers, with the condition normally becoming more evident around the age of three or four.
But that may no longer be the case after researchers examined 1959 children, between 18 and 36-months-old, as part of the study published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioural Paediatrics.
The Psychological Development Questionnaire (PDQ-1) had an 88 per cent likelihood of correctly identifying which of the youngsters screened positive.
Those who received low PDQ-1 scores were considered to be at risk of autism and were referred for evaluation to determine if they might be on the spectrum.
"The availability of valid and efficient screeners, like the PDQ-1, may enhance our ability to detect ASD in young children and expand the number of youngsters receiving early intervention," Associate Professor at Rutgers University and lead author of the study, Walter Zahorodny said.
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"If we want to improve early detection, easy-to-use and reliable autism screeners need to be widely used."
The test asks parents to answer ‘yes’, ‘no’, or ‘sometimes’ to ten questions about their child, including whether the child responds to their name, enjoys playing peek-a-boo and relates to others.
See the test below.
Autism Spectrum Australia states the lifelong developmental condition affects, among other things, the way an individual relates to his or her environment and their interaction with other people,
