Pediatric Screening

Bill Name:  An act to amend the public health law and the mental hygiene law, in relation to directing the commissioner of health and the commissioner of mental retardation and developmental disabilities to promulgate rules and regulations requiring every child beginning at the age of eighteen months to be examined for autism spectrum disorders; and to repeal section 2500-j of the public health law relating to screening children for autism spectrum disorders. 

Here are links to the bills:

• Assembly Bill §8251 - Sponsor Mark J. F. Schroeder

• Senate Bill §6201 - Sponsor William T. Stachowski

Current System:  Public Health Law §  2500-j directed the commissioner to establish,  for  use  by  pediatric  primary care providers,  best  practice protocols for early screening of children for autism spectrum disorders.  The protocols incorporate standards and guidelines established by the American Academy of Pediatricians and include, but are not limited to:

(a) the routine  employment  of  objective  autism  spectrum  disorder  screening   tools at  regular  intervals  during  critical  childhood  developmental stages;

 

(b) a provider/parental dialogue, utilizing the modified checklist for autism in toddlers as a reference, intended to educate parents in regard to autism spectrum disorders; and

 

(c) an appropriate referral mechanism for children who, based upon results of the aforementioned screening process, require further evaluation.

What the Autism Spectrum Disorder Screening Bill Does:  This bill directs the commissioner of health and commissioner of mental retardation and developmental disabilities to jointly promulgate rules and regulations requiring pediatric health care providers to screen children beginning at the age of 18 months for autism spectrum disorders during each wellness and preventative care examination.  The rules and regulations must include the clinical diagnostic tools needed by pediatricians to evaluate for ASD. l

Additionally such rules and regulations shall establish guidelines and protocols for:

• the best practices for the screening for and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders;

• the employment of objective autism spectrum disorder tools

• the appropriate referral mechanism for children, who based upon the results of screening for autism spectrum disorders, require further evaluation.

Why this matters to you:  According to current research, one in 91 children and one in 58 boys born in the United States will be diagnosed as on the Autism Spectrum. 

Brain research demonstrates that intervention is most effective when implemented on a young, flexible brain.  Children with autism benefit from intensive, early intervention programs and should reduce their need for intensive supports later.  Additionally, according to a study by the London School of Economics, the cost of lifelong care can be reduced by 2/3 with early diagnosis and intervention.

This legislation requires early screening of each child which should facilitate earlier diagnosis and intervention and help improve the outcomes for the child with an autism spectrum disorder.