Researchers from McMaster University believe that routine autism screening for all children is not necessary. They say that “there is not enough sound evidence supporting the implementation of a routine population-based screening program for autism.” Their report is published in the journal Pediatrics.

There is no compelling evidence to demonstrate that routine screening for autism does more good than harm, wrote Professor of Pediatrics, Dr. Jan Willem Gorter.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, on the other hand, have recommended routine screening for autism in children, even if parents had not commented on any signs or symptoms.

ASDs (autism spectrum disorders) refer to a group of serious developmental disorders with major, life-altering implications. Signs and symptoms include problems with communication skills, social skills, fine and gross motor skills, and in some cases cognitive skills.

Thirty years ago there were 0.8 confirmed cases of autism in every 1,000 schoolchildren, compared to 11 per 1,000 today. Experts say better detection and different ways of carrying out diagnosis have contributed to the apparent increase. Most accept there has probably also been a real increase in incidence. Boys are much more likely to have autism than girls.

The authors wrote:

“None of the autism screening tests currently available has been shown to be able to fulfill the properties of accuracy, namely high sensitivity, high specificity, and high predictive value (proportion of patients with positive test results who are diagnosed correctly) in a population-wide screening program.”

Gorter said:

“There is no solid evidence on which to base the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

None of the autism screening tests for the general population that we have today have proven accuracy. That is, they aren’t good enough to accurately detect children who have autism or to accurately detect those who don’t.”

The authors believe that routine screening of all preschoolers is premature. They propose careful surveillance and assessment of all very young children who have signs of social, language and cognitive difficulties.

“Early Autism Detection: Are We Ready for Routine Screening?”
Mona Al-Qabandi, Jan Willem Gorter and Peter Rosenbaum
Pediatrics June 13, 2011; DOI: 10.1542/peds.2010-1881

Written by Christian Nordqvist