GA State Officials Get Help to Detect Autism Early in Children

Intervention before the age of 3 has the greatest impact on autism, but the average age of diagnosis happens between 4 ½ and 5 ½ years old.

That’s why the Marcus Autism Center along with Emory University is training people working with young children. 

“The reality in Georgia is that we have over 26, 000 children plus many adults who have autism and related disorders,” says Don Mueller, executive director of the Marcus Autism Center. “We now know that this is something that’s developing early on in life and that early intervention is the key to future success for these children.”

During a 12 month program, infant and toddler specialists will learn to detect red flags for autism.

“There are several things, one of which is the lack of the ability to make eye contact or the lack of the ability to create a bonding relationship with a caregiver.”

The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning licenses and regulates child care facilities in Georgia, a network that has over 6,000 providers.