Senator Kemp Hannon (R-Garden City), Chair of the Senate Health Committee, announced legislation he sponsored (S. 6527-B/A. 9512-A) requiring the State Health Commissioner to establish the best protocols for pediatric primary care providers for the early screening of children for autism spectrum disorders has been signed into law by Governor David A. Paterson.

Until now, there was no mandate for universal screening practices.

Senator Hannon said, "This law will ensure that providers utilize best practice screening protocols at regular intervals during critical childhood development stages, particularly from birth until age three, which will enhance their ability to identify developmental delays and refer parents to appropriate therapeutic resources."

Although there are no cures for autism spectrum disorders, research has shown that early therapy can lessen their severity. Early diagnosis of developmental delays, especially between birth and age three, is an important component of child care and can lead to appropriate referrals for interventions. For that reason, screening for such disorders should be a routine practice for pediatric primary care providers.

One out of every 150 children is afflicted with an autism spectrum disorder. Additionally, while 15% of children in the United States suffer from some form of developmental delay affecting their ability to communicate, learn, interact with others or regulate their own behavior, only 30% of such delays are detected before a child reaches school age. Recognizing that earlier identification of such delays is likely to result in substantially better outcomes, this law intends to ensure the early diagnosis of developmental delays, including autism spectrum disorders, between birth and age three becomes a routine practice for pediatric primary care providers. Providers who have regular contact with young children are in a key position to recognize early problems in physical, social, emotional and mental development.

Recent studies indicate that objective screening tools combined with clinical judgment can increase the detection of developmental delays and lead to more effective treatment than does clinical judgment alone. Nevertheless, only about one third of pediatricians use formal screening tools during critical childhood examinations. This law requires an establishment of best practice protocols for pediatricians which, at a minimum, incorporate the employment of objective screening tools at regular intervals throughout a child's development and result in educational discussions between providers and parents regarding signs and symptoms of which they should be aware.