If you have a child with autism, there is a 1 in 5 chance you will have another child on the spectrum.
Experts recommend that infant siblings of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) be screened earlier and more often than children who are not at high risk. The Center for Autism and Related Disorders at Kennedy Krieger Institute is now offering a free developmental assessment for infants between 5 and 10 months old who have an older sibling diagnosed with ASD. We are launching this assessment in an effort to improve early identification of children most at risk for ASD to ensure they don’t miss out on early intervention that can dramatically improve lifelong learning, communication, and social skills. While the average age at which children receive a diagnosis of ASD is four years, researchers are discovering that the earliest signs of ASD can be detected in infants as young as six to fourteen months of age. The earlier these signs are detected, the more effective early intervention can be in the life of a child. When it comes to your child’s future, why wait and see?
Assessments will take place at the nationally renowned Center for Autism and Related Disorders at Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. To find out more or schedule your child’s free developmental assessment, call 443.923.7892 or visit autism.kennedykrieger.org.
What to expect at your child’s free developmental assessment: • A developmental expert will engage in playful activities with your baby in a fun, soothing environment, while you remain with your child. • You will be asked about your child’s growth, milestones, play, behavior, and social interactions. • You will be given the opportunity to ask questions about your child’s development, and receive recommendations on ways to interact with your child that can promote social development. • The developmental expert will talk with you about the results of the assessment and provide appropriate recommendations.