Condensed from Medical Update, Reader's Digest, January 2003
It is estimated that autism affects seven children out of 1,000. The social and communicative skills of the affected children are impaired. They are often disturbed and isolated.
The test, Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, developed with researchers at the University of Cambridge's departments of experimental psychiatry and psychology, involves parents playing certain games with their child, watching behavior and answering simple questions.
Studies showed that autistic children fail to develop two skills that other children possess at an early age: they do not "pretend play" or point to share with an adult what they see.
This test should be completed by a GP. It takes less than ten minutes and can identify 75 percent of children at high risk.
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