Autism Prevention
Childhood Development
Our infant has been treated as if he has autism since birth (see list in figure 1). This included extensive eye contact, back and forth communication and play (ESDM1, ESDM2). While not yet sufficiently studied, these preventive interventions certainly should reduce and may prevent the symptoms of autism (Dawson 2008, Bradshaw 2015, Green 2017, Gialloreti 2019). This natural intervention has huge potential benefit and no known risks.
A growing body of evidence links excessive screen time to symptoms of autism and reversal of symptoms when it is stopped (Harle 2019, Sadeghi, 2019). There are a number of other factors associated with autism (Gialloreti 2019). Air pollution is one example that can readily corrected by providing filtered air. We are taking action with each risk we can correct in our son’s in environment (Figure 1).
We believe all children at high risk, and ideally all children, deserve the same as what we have done for Jacob (Figure 1). This also includes close developmental monitoring, teaching of skills and a plan to “Act Early” if needed.
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1. Extensive eye contact, communication and play
2. No screen time, background TV, etc.
3. Prenatal vitamins, iron, omega 3/6
4. Vaccines up-to-date, maternal influenza vaccine
5. Breast feeding
6. Filtered air for pollution reduction
7. Closely tracking development
8. Teaching skills at the right time
9. Prepared to "Act Early"
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Screen Time Limits
We believe all children must have screen time limits to give them their “best shot” at life. Screen time is associated with many adverse effects, including developmental delay, behavioral problems, other symptoms of autism, obesity and more (AAP, Heffler 2019). Leading authorities recommend limits (AAP, WHO):
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< 18 months, NO screen time (includes no background TV or similar exposures)
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2-5 years, < 1 hour/day of parent supervised high quality programming
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·>5 years, consistent limits
Our 14 month-old has 2 minutes/day (to communicate with grandparents). Our 4 year-old has about 20 minutes per day (talking with grandparents and learning from family pictures/videos).
Act Early - Early Intervention
When a child misses milestones or has unusual behaviors, it is time for immediate action. Rapid action leads to better outcomes! Click here to see what we did for our son and learn more.
Development Monitoring and Support
We believe all children deserve to have their developmental milestones tracked starting at birth. We have been using, and really like, the US CDC milestone tracker (Act Early). Had we understood and used this for our son with autism, we would have intervened much earlier. We are using other tools such as MCHAT-R/ASQ3 (available at A365.vn) and the Early Start Denver Model check list in combination. Based on when our son should be reaching a milestone, we teach it if it is not already present. Example early milestones include pointing, responding to name, playing peek-a-boo, and identifying body parts.