Is your little one at risk for autism? A new method that can be detected at birth!

As a mother or father, do you sometimes wonder, "Is my baby's behavior a little different?" Or do you have a little doubt in your mind about his development? It's very normal to have thoughts like these. Today we're going to talk about autism, a condition that worries many parents, but can be managed if properly understood. In particular, the good news is that this condition can be diagnosed almost as soon as a baby is born.

What is autism?

Before we talk about this new discovery, let's simply understand what autism is. Some people also call it Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). A "spectrum" is like a rainbow. Just as there are different colors, the abilities and challenges of children with autism are very different from each other.

Simply put, this is a condition that affects a child's brain development. This can cause them to face challenges in three main areas:

1. Social interaction : There may be some difficulty in building relationships with others, making eye contact, and understanding the emotions of others.

2. Communication: You may notice things like being late to speak, using signs instead of words, or repeating the same words.

3. Behavior: Symptoms may include repetitive behavior (e.g., clapping hands, picking up toys in the same way), and hypersensitivity to certain things (sound, smell, light).

Can a baby be diagnosed with autism at birth?

Yes! This is the latest and best news. A group of researchers at Duke University in the United States have recently discovered something very surprising. They have created a computer program, a special algorithm, that can analyze a baby's early health records and predict whether that child is at risk of developing autism in the future.

Imagine how valuable it would be to be able to make this prediction using information found in a baby's health book or hospital records within the first month of birth?

How does this algorithm work?

Researchers studied the electronic medical records of nearly 45,000 children. When analyzing this data, they found several common health patterns in the early childhood of children who were later diagnosed with autism.

They are:

• Visiting an ophthalmologist for eye problems.
• Visiting a neurologist for problems related to the nervous system.
• Frequent stomach upsets and digestive problems (Gastrointestinal issues).
• Need for physical therapy treatment.

This does not mean that just because a baby has this one thing, it has autism. No, don't think like that. What this algorithm does is collect hundreds of small pieces of information like this and identify the overall pattern that emerges from them. It's like a detective putting together small clues and creating a big picture.

Why is early detection so important?

This is the most important part of the story. The sooner autism is identified, the better it is for the child's future. We call it "Early Intervention."

• Brain plasticity: Young children's brains are like wet clay. They are very flexible at that time (neuroplasticity). Therefore, if the necessary therapies are provided early on, the child's brain will be greatly helped to build new connections and overcome challenges.
• Best Results: Things like speech therapy and occupational therapy, when started early, can do wonders for developing a child's communication and social skills.
• Relief for parents: It is a great relief for parents to understand the reason behind their child's behavior. It also gives them the opportunity to learn how to help their child.

What should we, as parents in Sri Lanka, learn from this?

This algorithm may not have been implemented in Sri Lanka yet. But the basic message it conveys is very valuable to us. As parents, it is important for you to be aware of your child's development. In the table below, take a look at some common characteristics to look out for during a baby's first two years.

What should I do if I suspect something like this?

If you have any doubts about your baby, please don't panic or keep it to yourself. The best thing to do is to talk to your family doctor, pediatrician, or the doctor at your maternity clinic (MOH) about this.

The doctor will further examine the child if necessary and refer them to a specialist, such as a child psychiatrist. Remember, this is not something that can be diagnosed with a single test. It is a process that takes some time.