WASHINGTON — A government task force says more research is needed to determine if toddlers should be screened for autism even if check-ups or parents haven’t spotted developmental problems — despite guidelines from other health groups that urge such screening.
Doctors are supposed to routinely check if youngsters are meeting appropriate milestones or show signs of developmental disorders including autism. And specialists say parents should immediately point out any concerns, such as whether a child doesn’t make eye contact, so they can receive appropriate diagnostic testing.
The draft recommendation addresses another step, whether doctors also should use parent questionnaires and similar tools to screen for autism in children under 3 who have no obvious symptoms.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force said there’s insufficient evidence to recommend either for or against so-called universal screening, and that doctors should use their own judgment until more research is in.