According to a recent release, the American Academy of Pediatrics has now recommended new guidelines that indicate that all children should be screened for autism at 18 months and 2 years old. While this new guideline should help with earlier diagnosis and intervention, there’s a new program that’s getting even more attention in the process.

Rapid ABC is a new screening technique that uses simple activities to test for autism, like having a child’s name called, looking at a book, or playing. Then, the screening will target attention, reciprocity, and communication in the children, which usually age 15 to 17 month. Once it’s complete, a software program then computes a score. If autism is suspected, the child will then be put through further testing to get an appropriate diagnosis.

The Rapid ABC test was developed by Emory University and Georgia Tech and several studies show it’s accurate in identifying toddlers at risk for autism spectrum disorders. This helps alert parents to the need for further testing as well as early intervention. The goal of those involved with Rapid ABC is to make the program part of regular pediatric checkups at both 18 and 24 months so that children at risk for autism can be properly diagnosed without delay so intervention and treatment can take place.