The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently issued a recommendation for all children to be screened for autism twice by age 2. The two reports, which appeared in the November 2007 issue of the journal Pediatrics, include symptoms to watch for, such as babies who don't babble at 9 months and 1-year-olds who don't point to toys.

While the AAP report does warn parents from becoming overly anxious or misinterpreting every odd or disruptive thing their child does as a symptom of autism, the overarching theme of the report is the idea that parents and doctors can work together to spot autism earlier so that therapy can start sooner. The earlier the therapy, say experts, the better the long-term outcomes.

Tonya Belgrave of Wallingford, Pa., says her son, Desmond, wasn't diagnosed with autism until age 5, but she and her husband knew long before that something was wrong.

"They say you should never compare your children, but the difference between Desmond and his older brother was too drastic not to notice," Belgrave says. "At 2 and 3 Duane was speaking in full sentences and trying to read and write. Desmond wasn't doing anything. I tried to discuss it with various health professionals, but my concerns were dismissed by them saying he was too young for a diagnosis."

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