You may have concerns about developmental delays in your young patients. A new online CME Video, "Autism," discusses the genetics of autistic spectrum disorder and the importance of routine screening for developmental problems. The video is part of the Academy's Annual Clinical Focus 2005 Genomics.
Developmental Delay? Consider Autism
ACF Video Addresses Diagnosis, Treatment
By News Staff
11/23/2005
"The causes of autistic spectrum disorder are a complex interplay of genetics and environment. There are several possible genes involved, but nothing that helps us in diagnosing or treating at this point," says Nancy Stevens, M.D., M.P.H., in the video. "We can tell parents that a positive family history increases the risk for future children, and the stronger the family history, the greater the risk. But we aren't able today to predict whether a child will or won't have autism."
Stevens is a family medicine professor in the School of Public Health and Community Medicine at the University of Washington, Seattle, and medical director of ACF 2005 Genomics. In the video, she introduces Caryl Heaton, D.O., vice chair of the family medicine department at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark.
Heaton explains, "The phrase autistic spectrum disorder encompasses classic autistic disorder and other pervasive developmental disorders. Among persons who have a sibling with autistic spectrum disorder, the recurrence rate has been estimated to be between 3 percent and 7 percent" -- about 50 times higher than the risk of the disorder in the general population.
"Evidence shows that when children receive at least two years of intensive educational services during the preschool years, their rates of developmental progress and intellectual performance increase significantly," says Heaton. "It's critical that primary care clinicians actively monitor for developmental milestones at every well-child visit."
Developmental delay can be associated with conditions other than autism, such as muscular dystrophy, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, metabolic disorders, tuberous sclerosis and Rett Syndrome, the video emphasizes. "The key message regarding developmental delay is this: The value of early detection is early treatment," says Heaton. "Even in the absence of a formal diagnosis, it's prudent to refer a child for general intervention services in the community, so valuable treatment and family support services can be started."
The Web page introducing the video includes a "Web Tour," with links to numerous additional resources, specific screening tools and directories of genetic professionals nationwide. You can also visit other Genomics CME Video Series programs online.
Stevens is a family medicine professor in the School of Public Health and Community Medicine at the University of Washington, Seattle, and medical director of ACF 2005 Genomics. In the video, she introduces Caryl Heaton, D.O., vice chair of the family medicine department at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark.
Heaton explains, "The phrase autistic spectrum disorder encompasses classic autistic disorder and other pervasive developmental disorders. Among persons who have a sibling with autistic spectrum disorder, the recurrence rate has been estimated to be between 3 percent and 7 percent" -- about 50 times higher than the risk of the disorder in the general population.
"Evidence shows that when children receive at least two years of intensive educational services during the preschool years, their rates of developmental progress and intellectual performance increase significantly," says Heaton. "It's critical that primary care clinicians actively monitor for developmental milestones at every well-child visit."
Developmental delay can be associated with conditions other than autism, such as muscular dystrophy, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, metabolic disorders, tuberous sclerosis and Rett Syndrome, the video emphasizes. "The key message regarding developmental delay is this: The value of early detection is early treatment," says Heaton. "Even in the absence of a formal diagnosis, it's prudent to refer a child for general intervention services in the community, so valuable treatment and family support services can be started."
The Web page introducing the video includes a "Web Tour," with links to numerous additional resources, specific screening tools and directories of genetic professionals nationwide. You can also visit other Genomics CME Video Series programs online.
