Boy - The Sooner You Know, The More You Can Do.

On Early Intervention:

"Based on a set of individualized, specialized objectives and plans that are systematically implemented, educational services should begin as soon as a child is suspected of having an autistic spectrum disorder."

"Children with autistic spectrum disorders, like children with vision or hearing problems, require early identification and diagnosis to equip them with the skills (e.g., imitation, communication) to benefit from educational services, with some evidence that earlier initiation of specific services for autistic spectrum disorders is associated with greater response to treatment."

- Committee on Educational Interventions for Children with Autism, from the book Educating Children with Autism

The Earlier You Find Out If Your Child Is at Risk for a Language Delay or Autism the More You Can Do About It. Don't "Wait and See." Get Answers Now.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

  • An estimated 1 in 110 children in the United States have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
  • Of parents of children with ASDs, approximately 50 percent notice atypical behaviors by age 18 months and roughly 80 percent notice atypical behaviors by age 24 months

Despite the dramatic increase in the number of children being diagnosed with autism over the past decade and the ability of caregivers to spot atypical behaviors early, the average age of autism diagnosis is 5.7 years, according to a study by Washington University in St. Louis. Many children miss out on a window of opportunity as a result. “Research indicates that intervention provided before age 3-4 years has a greater impact than that after age 5,” explains autism specialist Teresa Cardon, M.A., CCC-SLP. “Younger children consistently make more progress during intervention than do older children.”

If caregivers are spotting atypical behaviors at such an early age why is it taking them so long to get their child treatment? Briefly, a combination of systemic flaws in the healthcare system, increased demand for autism screening, and a basic lack of understanding of the importance of early intervention in treating ASDs have been hindering early diagnosis and treatment.

With the LENA Language and Autism Screen (LLAS), the first and only automatic and objective screen of its kind, you can find out quickly and confidentially whether your child is at risk for a language delay or autism. If there is a concern, you can take the documents to an autism specialist or medical professional and initiate the kind of intensive early treatment that in studies has proven to be highly effective.