Nursery World - Infant Mental Health: 'Treat babies for autism'

Babies who show early signs of autism, such as avoiding eye contact and not bonding with their parents, should be treated in the first few months of life, according to an expert in infant mental health.

While children in the UK are not usually diagnosed with autism until two-and-a-half years, international research suggests pre-autistic behaviours can be detected at just a few months.

Psychologist and child and adult psychotherapist Dr Stella Acquarone believes that early intervention is 'fundamentally important in the first year'. She told Nursery World that it was crucial to help 'rewire' the brain.

Dr Acquarone, director of the School of Infant Mental Health and Parent Infant Clinic, which specialises in early intervention, set up the charity International Pre-Autistic Network to give support and guidance to parents and train professionals.

She is calling for Government funding to treat pre-autistic behaviours and train professionals to treat babies early.

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