<story><title>Autism detectable in brain long before symptoms appear</title><url>http://www.bbc.com/news/health-38955872</url></story><parent_chain></parent_chain><comment><author>scardine</author><text>My 4 years old son is mildly autistic. He is doing well, attending a regular school and learning to interact with people.&lt;p&gt;I first suspected he was different because he didn&amp;#x27;t locked eyes with my wife when she was breastfeeding (I have 3 older kids to compare). He learned to walk in time, but he was not pointing to the things he wanted (instead used to grab me by the arm and use it like a tool), and he was unwilling to look at something we were pointing like a neurotipical kid does. I saw many other signs, but my wife was always in denial until he was 2.5 and I showed her some videos of autistic behavior on Youtube.&lt;p&gt;Long story short, it almost ruined my marriage (my wife felt like I was torturing her by sending her material about autism). I don&amp;#x27;t know why I knew more about autism than the pediatrician, but the subject always interested me.&lt;p&gt;My advice is: if you are suspicious, get your son diagnosed by a specialized neuropediatrician (do not waste time with someone who is not well prepared to diagnose autism).</text></comment>
<story><title>Autism detectable in brain long before symptoms appear</title><url>http://www.bbc.com/news/health-38955872</url></story><parent_chain></parent_chain><comment><author>Someone1234</author><text>This is definitely interesting, scientifically, and may help us better understand Autism (and its causes).&lt;p&gt;I cannot imagine this will see widespread adoption outside of research. MRI scans remain expensive and many MRIs have waiting lists at hospitals. Even today, they regularly use less safe technology (e.g. CTs) because they&amp;#x27;re less expensive and there will be more available.&lt;p&gt;There&amp;#x27;s no safety reason why you shouldn&amp;#x27;t do this. MRIs are darn near harmless. It is just an economic issue with gaining time on an MRI to discover information which may not change the overall outcome for the child (pediatricians are getting better and better at detecting early signs of autism).&lt;p&gt;Heck, if MRIs were readily available they&amp;#x27;d quickly replace ultrasound during pregnancy (since MRIs are likely safer and superior given that they better represent depth). But alas, a MRI costs up to $1m for a &amp;quot;basic&amp;quot; one and up to $3m for a fMRI, and that&amp;#x27;s ignoring the space&amp;#x2F;training&amp;#x2F;power utilisation issues.</text></comment>