BILL NUMBER: S8955

SPONSOR: ORTT
 
TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the public health law, in relation to
autism screening for children three years of age and under

 
PURPOSE:

To establish screening tools and guidelines for autism spectrum disor-
ders (ASD) in children three years of age and younger.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Amends the public health law to provide developmental screen-
ings that are in compliance with the periodicity schedule and use
screening tools that have been established by the Bright
Futures/American Academy for Pediatrics Recommendations for Preventative
Health Care for autism spectrum disorders in children three years of age
and younger

Section 2: Effective Date.
              

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Currently, there is no standardized screening approach for the early
identification of autism. Screening is a way to detect a disorder, such
as autism, before the onset of symptoms. ASD can sometimes be detected
at 18 months or younger. By age 2, a diagnosis by an experienced profes-
sional can be considered very reliable.

To promote and improve the early identification of autism, the American
Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recently published practice guidelines
that recommends screening for ASD at the 18 and 24 month visits. Despite
these guidelines, most busy pediatric practices do not consistently
implement screening. As a result, most children are not diagnosed until
age 3 or later. This delay means that children with an ASD might not get
the help they need.

Early treatment of autism can have a significantly positive impact on
the health and well-being of children and their families.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New legislation

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become a law; provided, however, the amendment and/or repeal of any rule
or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effec-
tive date are authorized and directed to be made and completed on or
before such effective date.