Autism prodrome 48 of 89
out”; Can say the ABCs, numbers, or words to TV jingles but can’t ask for things he
wants”.
In addition, the "Autism A. L. A. R. M." (Johnson, 2004) is a helpful flyer
regarding ASD which emphasizes important information regarding ASD and the need
for, and benefit of, early identification and intervention. Johnson et al. (2007)
recommend screening for ASD at 18 and 24 months and at any other point of time
that the parents raise a concern, and offer an algorithm for the surveillance and
screening of ASD which is extremely helpful for parents and professionals (pages
1196-1197). Still it is uncertain that ASDs will not develop even if the prodrome
status (e.g., deficits in language and joint attention) is identified and prevention
programs are applied. Furthermore, children who manifest the prodrome status may
or may not develop ASD regardless of primary prevention and intervention programs.
We are also faced with the question of what should these ‘preventative’ interventions
deliver? Whilst there is an increasing evidence-base for behavioral and social
communication approaches to early intervention for young children diagnosed with an
ASD (Rogers & Vismara, 2008); these may not be applicable to ‘at risk’ children who
have not yet developed the full blown disorder. Ongoing studies are testing
developmentally informed parenting interventions that draw on the rich literature of
supporting interactions that promote parent responsiveness and sensitivity to an
infants’ needs and from other intervention programs with at risk populations with
diagnoses other than ASD (Bakermans-Kranenburg, van IJzendoorn, & Juffer, 2003).
These intervention programs are also informed by our understanding of putative
primary and secondary developmental perturbations that lead to the development of
ASDs (Dawson, 2008).