Professor Wendy Stone discusses how detection of autism is the key to specialized services that can lead to significant gains in social, language and behavioral development. However, families of young children often encounter many obstacles as they navigate the path from autism concerns to autism treatment. Prevailing healthcare models prevent many children from accessing early autism-specialized services and accruing the associated benefits. Alternative healthcare models that employ preventative intervention approaches are critical for improving outcomes for this ever-growing group of children in our communities.
