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Early intervention

crucial for autism

BY PSYCHLOPAEDIA AUSTRALIAN PSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Identifying children with autism early - before age two - is possible and greatly improves their opportunities for development .

Most Australian children with autism spectrum disorder ( ASD ) are missing out on two years of vital early intervention due to a delay in identification and diagnosis .

Professor Cheryl Dissanayake , director of the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre

( OTARC ) at La Trobe University says the centre ’ s study of 15,000 children with ASD found the average age of diagnosis in children under seven is taking place at just over four years of age .

“ We know we can reliably identify and diagnose autism as early as two years of age , so that means that children aren ’ t getting access to muchneeded early intervention ,” she says .

“ They are accessing it two years later than they should be on average .” Professor Dissanayake , a member of the Australian Psychological Society ( APS ) with more than 30 years ’ experience in autism research , says early intervention can make a huge difference to children with autism and their families . “ Intervention at any age helps but what you can do in identifying earlier , when the signs are more subtle because