Talkback: Simple questionnaire could spot autism in babies from 12 months

I have an 11 year old autistic son and a test at one would have saved the many years of heartache and struggles that we have had to endure. It's about time people took Autism more seriously as it has such a devastating effects on sufferers and their families, yet as the children appear normal to look at you get no sympathy from anyone. It's about time this country started doing some research of it's own as it seems to me that America lead the way in this disability. My son also suffers from Auditory Processing Disorder aside from his Autism and it's the same thing again the only people who seem to know anything about this disability is the Americans and thankfully the psychologist who diagnosed my son.

Most definitely YES! Why this hadn't been introduced sooner I don't know? Considering how common autism is these days you would've thought some sort of preventative measures would have been put place a long time ago. I've had concerns over my son since birth but we are only now seeing some action for him at 32 months old. I don't think Health Visitors/GPs take parental concerns over autistic behaviours seriously enough and this test probably would have saved me many years of worry & stress, whatever the outcome of the test.

The early screening test could be very helpful to families and children who endure months and years of judgement and misunderstanding, of parental worry and frustrations.
But, I worry that with diagnosis there also needs to be support, to help children in an age appropriate way to understand their diagnosis and use it positively, to help NT children to understand and be inclusive of a labelled difference.
The research in the USA shows that early therapy intervention, not merely the screening, is what holds the key to a positive impact and outcome. Will our government be supporting the training and development of such early therapies along side a drive for routine screening?

Hopefully early detection will in turn highlight the need for greater knowledge sharing, for developing understanding and acceptance in families and communities, skilled therapeutic services, specialist family supports and education initiatives that can make life more fulfilling for children on the spectrum and their families. Then hopefully such needs will be met. Screening on its own is only the tip of the iceberg.