Experts insist that governments are being penny-wise and pound-foolish in refusing to pony up for intensive therapy to infants and toddlers who show early signs of a developmental disorder. Simple, brief screening tests are now designed to flag children at risk as early as 18 months. Earlier diagnosis might be possible by measuring brain activity and recognizing patterns that are unique to autism. Researchers at the Baby Lab in Uppsala University in Sweden are looking for these patterns by placing dozens of soft-foam sensors on infant's heads.
The benefits of early treatment are likely to grow in coming years as new research into developmental disorders continues to pay off.