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University of Nebraska Medical Center

General Pediatrics Division Develops New Model for Early Autism Diagnosis

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Autism affects one in 36 children in the U.S. according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's latest report.

Early intervention is critical for better outcomes in these children. Although autism can be diagnosed as early as 18 months, many children with autism experience delay in diagnosis of up to two years.

The Division of General Pediatrics, in collaboration with the Division of Developmental Pediatrics, developed an innovative new model for diagnostic evaluation of autism in primary care, providing access to early diagnosis and intervention for children with autism. The results from this pilot program were presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics national conference in Washington, D.C., in October 2023.