USPSTF Issues Draft Recommendation on Pediatric Screening for Autism

​Although statistics show a substantial increase in the number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder over the last few decades, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) issued a draft recommendation indicating that there is not enough evidence to advise screening asymptomatic children between 18 and 30 months old for autism spectrum disorder. "It is important to note that the task force is not recommending against screening for autism, but is calling for more research on screening children who do not have signs or symptoms of autism," said pediatrician and USPSTF member Alex Kemper, MD, MPH, MS, in an August 4, 2015, news release.