On another listserv that restricts input from professionals there have
been assertions that the American Academy of Pediatrics recent
position paper on Autism Spectrum Disorders states that Pediatricians
should wait until the age 5 to diagnose Autism and the other PDD
diagnoses.

NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH.

Last year the AAP essentially repackaged under their own name the
recommendations made in the National Academy of Science's report
"Educating Children with Autism" that was published several years ago.

In it the NAS, and now the AAP, state (based on clear and consistent
research support) that a qualified and well trained professional can
consistently diagnose Autism by the age of Two (2). No equivocation,
no extraneous variables, no waffling - by age two.

PLEASE help other parents understand that ALL the research clearly
states that the earlier the identification (diagnosis) and TREATMENT
the better the chances that the child will make solid progress.

Waiting to diagnose is just plain harmful because it delays commitment
to effective treatment.

If anyone has any questions about this there are loads of resources
online both at our website and at the National Academy of Science's
website and the National Institutes of Health websites.

-Robert W. Montgomery, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Director, Autism Spectrum Assessment Program (ASAP)