Despite high rates of autism screening, gaps remain, study finds

An analysis of more than 36,000 toddlers who were screened for autism spectrum disorder finds discrepancies in which groups get screened and which health providers are screening for ASD. Researchers found that around three-quarters of children who came in for their 18- and 24-month checkups at 20 clinics around the U.S. were screened for ASD, and 1.4% of these kids were later diagnosed with an ASD. At the same time, scientists found that Hispanic children were least likely to be screened compared to white children, and that family physicians rarely administered ASD screening tests compared to pediatricians. Only half of the children in the analysis were screened at both checkups. The findings represent areas that are ripe for improving autism screening, the authors suggest.