All Victorian infants will now be screened for ­autism at their first birthday at nursing checks

A new screening technique will allow for Victorian children to screened for autism at a younger age. Here’s when your kid will be able to be screened.

Early detection improves lifelong outcomes for autistic children.

Just like their hips, weight and walking ability are checked, all Victorian infants will now be screened for ­autism at their first birthday during routine nursing checks.

The last of the state’s 1500 maternal and child health nurses and students are being trained in the new screening technique, to be used at the 12-, 18- and 24-month check-ups.

The average age of a ­diagnosis of autism in Victoria is four, but La Trobe University researchers say their early ­detection tool was now seeing children typically diagnosed at 18 months.

Early detection improves lifelong outcomes for autistic children.

Dr Josephine Barbaro, from the university’s Olga Tennison Autism ­Research Centre, ­developed the early detection tool over 14 years.

La Trobe research has shown that children diagnosed at age two were more likely to attend mainstream primary schools and have better ­cognitive and language skills in grades 2 to 4, than those diagnosed later.

“By monitoring children across time, we’re giving multiple opportunities to pick up children as early as possible so we can provide the early support that we know improves their lifelong outcomes,” Dr Barbaro said.

“The earlier you can begin, the earlier you take advantage of the brain’s plasticity and help that child communicate.

“Communicating wants and needs reduces frustration. Behavioural ­issues arise when people can’t communicate — it’s not from the autism.”

According to Autism Spectrum Australia, one in 70 Australians are on the autism spectrum, which is about 350,000 people.

The screening involves ­assessing a child’s interaction and communication skills.

It is already being used internationally, and nurses in each state across Australia in many areas have been trained.

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A parent-friendly app ­version of the screening called ASDetect has been downloaded 32,000 times worldwide since it was developed three years ago.

Dr Barbaro said they were now developing the app into a screening tool for medical and health professionals to assist in spotting early warning signs.

Maternal and child health nurse Catina Adams, who is co-ordinating the training program, said the screening ­removed the “gut feeling” of making a diagnosis, and gave nurses better ways to communicate their observations with families and doctors.

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