Universal Early Screening for Autism in Children Not Supported by Expert Panel

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An expert health panel, known as the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, has found that there is not enough evidence to support universal screening for autism in toddlers.

The New York Times explains that the task force has immense influence in the medical community. The panel is made of experts in prevention and primary care, as well as appointed by the federal Department of Health and Human Services. 

Most pediatricians seem to have concluded that that panel's decision will hinder doctors from screening young children for autism altogether. Moreover, those advocating early screening, like austism experts from the American Academy of Pediatricians, take the panel's decision to apply to children who are exhibiting symptoms of autism.

According to AAP guidelines, pediatricians are urged to screen all babies with standardized screening tools at both 18 and 24 months.

Dr. Susan E. Levy, who contributed to the AAP guidelines, said: "I was in a meeting when I read [the panel's decision], and I started feeling like I'd have chest pain. I would hate to see people stop screening."

However, Dr. David Grossman, a pediatrician from Seattle and vice chairperson of the task force, explained that the panel's decision does not mean physicians should not screen children who are exhibiting symptoms of autism. 

It would seem that the panel's decision would only affect routine screening for children who are not showing signs of autism, reports NBC News.

"We want to make sure this recommendation is not misunderstood," said Dr. Grossman. "Children who are exhibiting signs and symptoms should be referred and tested."

According to NBC News, the panel did not find sufficient evidence to support the need for screening children, who were not exhibitings signs of autism. In the official website of the Task Force, the panel states that more research is needed to see the potential benefits and harms of screening all children for autism. 

In particular, the task force requested for more studies involving the long-term outcomes of children diagnosed through screening, but who were not symptomatic at the time. 

Several pediatricians, however, argue that early screening will allow for early intervention, which usually results in better outcomes for autistic children.

According to Dr. Diana Robins, head of the early detection and intervention program for A.S.D at A.J. Drexel Autism Institute: 

"We have a growing body of literature that kids who start treatment earlier tend to have the biggest improvement, and we know that screening detects it earlier."

He added that delayed diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders means "you miss an opportunity to nip it in the bud," especially if parents wait until their children exhibit the symptoms of the disorder. 

Meanwhile, Dr. Paul Wang, pediatrician and senior vice president of medical research for Autism Speaks, said that the risk factor in early screening is not really that great. "We feel the risk-benefit analysis is very much in favor of screening," said Dr. Wang.