Screening and early care programmes in children with autism spectrum disorders

Introduction. The need for effective methods of detection and treatment in the early stages of autism spectrum disorders is something that is currently accepted both by professional societies and by the healthcare authorities alike. Up-to-date comprehensive information about the screening procedures and early care techniques for children with autism spectrum disorders would make it easier to implement better detection devices as well as easing the job of counselling families and professionals about care and intervention at early ages in children. Development. This study offers an updated review of the procedures for early detection and early care in autism, while reflecting the most relevant aspects that can be deduced from the experiments and studies conducted to date. Conclusions. The review carried out on trials involving the early detection of autism yields a group of important considerations to be taken into account in carry out critical analyses of screening programmes that are already under way, as well as a set of recommendations for future experiments. The review of the early care programmes provides a promising view because studies on the effectiveness of early care programmes are becoming increasingly more frequent, systematic and methodologically more appropriate.