For the early detection of autism | The control of …

The Legislative Assembly of Buenos Aires unanimously approved the creation of a child development surveillance system for the early detection of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Accessed by PáginaI12, Corina Morillo, from the Brincar Foundation for Happy Autism, said it was "a very positive step because it incorporates early childhood surveillance into aspects that go beyond weight and size. because it integrates the vigilance of early childhood. Regarding socio-emotional development, how does the child communicate, how is he / she socializing and how does he / she interact? "This way, we avoid that" the diagnosis of ASD is late, as it is the case for many children "because the standard provides" a survey to determine how a child stands in relation to certain developmental patterns and if he has not got the stimulation he needs. " "Morillo said it was" a very important first step, but state policies are needed "for the care and training of public health service professionals throughout the country, not just in the Buenos Aires region Aires

The initiative plans to add to the control of children, on the occasion of mandatory vaccinations, at the age of 12 months, the obligation of the pediatrician to use the tools available research "to badess the possibility of risks and / or challenges for the socio-communicative development of the product." patients. "In case of a positive result, the doctor will refer the children" to a full diagnostic evaluation. "If the diagnosis of ASD is confirmed, the Buenos Aires Ministry of Health must intervene" with containment devices, support and training for parents or guardians to maximize patient development opportunities. "

Morillo, mother of an 18-year-old autistic boy, said the decision "was necessary", while recalling that the entity to which it belongs brings together five hundred families who work together since many years. "We have social networks in favor, as a means of communication, but despite this, we are late for diagnosis", as indicated by an investigation in which it was pointed out that "in Latin America, families put 22.2 months to arrive at the moment of suspicion (of autism) until they receive the diagnosis "confirming it", which delays the family's decision to "properly stimulate the patient." 39, child. "

"What's going on," says Morillo, "is that we have no idea what communication is with the boy, because we do not know that before speaking, he has to point fingers at he wants something, a car, a teddy bear, to be able to establish a necessary triangulation "between the parents, the creature and the object that points. It is "one of the points of development" that must come at an early age and "a very powerful milestone of development, connection with the gaze, the" I want it ", without saying it with words.

Morillo said that there was "a hole in the early detection level, although there are some teams specializing in the development of pediatric TEA, the consultation changes in these hospitals make very long lists of # 39; wait. " This is why he pointed out that it was necessary to have "a first previous link, in the treatment rooms, to conduct the preliminary investigation" now provided by the law in force in the city of Buenos Aires, but that is "necessary to take it all over the country."

He said that it is necessary to have "more specialized pediatricians to have more early alarms and suspicion, because in this way, we will work more quickly in stimulation, socialization and socialization. Social integration that was lacking ". He recalled that Brincar had led the Mirame campaign "for a full and happy childhood" organized in March, April and May 2015 with other organizations. It has been noted that "lack of eye contact is one of the signs of autism".

At that time, "we managed to install the topic because when the diagnosis is established, it improves the school's insertion and the treatment it needs to a impact on the family, disability. "Morillo however pointed out that in addition to the law approved by the Buenos Aires legislature," a public policy is needed at the level of health centers and public hospitals, so that they can perform researches and places of reference, patients and their families. "To achieve this, he insisted that" the government and the state must commit to train more professionals prepared for this purpose. " task".

For this reason, it has ratified the fact that the initiative is "a great first step, but there is no appropriate policy to accompany this progress and extend it to the country level because it's an important first step, but others are needed and will reach everyone. "