New autism screening tool available in Huntersville

HUNTERVILLE – Autism impacts one in 31 children in the United States. Getting a diagnosis for these children is the first step toward the care they need to thrive in their environment. ABS Kids, a trusted provider of ABA therapy since 2011, is proud to be the first to offer Huntersville families a new FDA-authorized diagnostic aid. “We’re excited to work with the researchers and pilot EarliPoint in Huntersville,” says Andrew Jones, PhD, ABS Kids Clinical Psychology Director. “This is another tool families now have to help quickly determine if a broader assessment is necessary for their child.”

The 12-minute in-person screening tracks children's eye movements while they watch a series of videos, and can determine the likelihood of autism with more than 99% accuracy. ABS Kids offers this service for children from 18 months to five years old, when autism may start to appear. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability with symptoms that often show up in early childhood. ASD impacts how a person perceives and processes the world around them. Autistic children may have sensory issues, including aversions to loud noises, bright lights, or even their clothing, and may also have difficulty reading social cues with peers. When identified early, treatments like applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy can help children navigate the world with less anxiety.

“We want to help empower families to make the next best decision in their child’s care,” says Dr. Jones. “A full diagnostic assessment is a more intensive process because we need to see the child interact in a few different scenarios. Screening tools like this can help families determine if that process is necessary.”

Last year, ABS Kids launched M-CHAT-R, a free online screening tool that can help determine the likelihood of autism in children between 16 and 30 months old. While neither screening tool provides a diagnosis, it can be an effective first step in getting answers. A referral is not required.

For more information or to schedule an appointment at ABS Kids, call (704) 780-4271.

About ABS Kids: ABS Kids partners with children and families to deliver high-quality, compassionate applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy at home, in schools, and in our centers. From diagnosis to ongoing treatment, we support children with autism every step of the way. We proudly provide ABA therapy in California, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Utah. Join our team to combine purpose with professional growth.