Donations to help fund program that could lead to early autism diagnosis
Nov 17, 2014, 6:00 AM | Updated: 6:29 am
PHOENIX — Two Valley organizations are stepping up to help in the fight for earlier autism detection.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and the Pakis Family Foundation are both chipping in $25,000 apiece in seed money to the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center (SARRC) to help it start its Milestones Autism Early Detection Program.
“It’s an education program to look for developmental milestones and to educate parents about developmental milestones that lead to healthy infant development,” said Chris Smith, vice president and research director for SARRC.
One in 64 Arizonans have the disorder, and the average age that it’s first diagnosed is around five years old.
Smith said with earlier detection, parents can learn how to deal with, and even thrive with the challenges of autism.
SARRC’s program will recruit 60 families with children up to 1 year old and will closely monitor the kids for signs of the disorder.
“It’s very early treatment for developmental delays that could lead to a diagnosis of autism,” Smith said.
SARRC still needs another $50,000 to start the program.