Health
AMA endorses efforts to increase early identification of developmental delays
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted July 11, 2005
In order to increase the early identification of more children who have autism or other forms of developmental delay, the American Medical Association offered its support for efforts by medical specialty societies to educate physicians about screening and detecting these disorders. The Association is also urging doctors to assist parents in getting access to appropriate early intervention services.
The action, endorsed by AMA delegates at the June Annual Meeting, is a response to recognition that interventions at a young age can have a significant impact. "We have too many children who arrive at school who could have been picked up two or three years prior," said Joel Shulkin, MD, a pediatrician from Windham, N.H., and a member at-large of the AMA Young Physicians Section.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2005/07/11/hlbf0711.htm.