Early Autism Diagnosis in the Primary Care Setting

As the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has increased in recent years, so too has the body of research describing the importance of early diagnosis and early intervention. Unfortunately, a large proportion of children with the disorder do not receive a diagnosis until after their fourth birthday. Various reasons exist for late diagnosis, including limited understanding of nuanced early warning signs and limited knowledge of effective early detection mechanisms among healthcare providers. Since early diagnosis enables access to treatment, and early intensive intervention improves long-term developmental outcomes, early detection by pediatric healthcare providers is critical. This article will review ASD prevalence rates, describe correlates and factors that might influence prevalence estimates, and highlight recent advances in early detection methods and intervention services.