April has been officially declared Autism Awareness month since 2010 with the calming blue light selected to represent those who support the initiative to raise awareness about the growing health concern facing so many.
The campaign has been embraced by government officials, big businesses, and private citizens concerned with the crisis.
This month, researchers found a link between the creases in a placenta to the risk of autism. They found an unusually high number of inclusions or creases occurred in newborns who had a family risk of autism. The study could lead to diagnosing newborns with autism right after birth and even start treatment early.
Dr. Harvey J. Kliman, a research scientist at the Yale School of Medicine and lead author of the study called the inclusions a "check-engine light, a marker of: something's wrong, but I don't know what it is."
Typically, autism is diagnosed by taking a family history and doing a developmental examination. This includes testing a child's language, social and other skills. Much of this diagnosis can't be done until a child is three or four years old. Additionally, the signs of autism are subtle and can be confused with other health issues such as hearing loss, or language delays. If autism is a possibility, a person with special training in child development, such as a developmental pediatrician, a pediatric neurologist, or a child psychologist can provide the most accurate answers, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Autism is five times more common in boys than girls. Family history and genetics play a large part in autism risk. An earlier start with treatment can make a significant difference in managing the developmental disorder. Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), a behavioral treatment that encourages positive behavior and discourages negative behavior can make a difference. Having a good school program with speech and other therapies is essential, medications can be useful, and for some children, changes in diet can help.
