Children with autism have normal-size heads at birth, but sometimes develop accelerated head growth between 6 and 9 months of age. This period precedes the onset of many behaviors that help diagnose autism, says new research from the University of Washington's Autism Center.
This growth in head circumference is present in kids who have early-onset autism and those later diagnosed with regression-type autism, says lead researcher Sara Webb.
Infant head measurements are typically done by pediatricians through the first 18 months of life, but often aren’t done again.
“Some kids in our study started with a small head size and, later, their growth accelerated,” says Webb. “What we’re looking for is disproportionate growth in kids compared to the rest of their body.”
She said this information can be used to screen children and refer them earlier, rather than later, for evaluation and intervention before other symptoms develop.
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