Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Concerns, Misinfo Swirl Online After CDC Tweaks Developmental Milestones
PolitiFact: What To Know About The CDC’s Updated Developmental Milestones For Infants And Young Children
In 2004, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released developmental milestone checklists for infants and young children to help parents track their child’s development and intervene if it seemed a child was delayed. The benchmarks, part of the CDC’s "Learn the Signs. Act Early" developmental monitoring program, remained unaltered for decades. But that changed on Feb. 8, when the agency, in partnership with the American Academy of Pediatrics, announced that the milestones had been revised. (Putterman, 2/28)
KOLD: Experts Concerned After CDC Changes Developmental Milestone For Kids
For the first time in 20 years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its developmental milestones for kids to help parents spot delays sooner. However, some experts are raising concerns as the new guidelines pushed back some benchmarks. “With all the developments we have in the medical field, in everything, it feels we should be farther ahead instead of going backwards,” said mother of four Jacqueline Vaughn. (Ramirez, 2/28)
Newsweek: Fact Check: Did CDC Lower Speech Standard For Children Because Of Masking?
A discussion is raging on social media regarding whether mask mandates and isolation as a result of COVID measures have caused the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to lower speech standards for children. Several social media users are misleadingly linking a recent CDC guidance update to face masks and other virus-countering restrictions introduced in the U.S. since the COVID pandemic began. (Lea, 2/24)
In related news about autism —
USA Today: ADHD, Autism Test: Why Neuropsych For Special Education Costs So Much
When Ann Civitareale’s father passed away in 2009, she little fathomed that she would spend thousands of her inheritance on medical and educational testing for her two sons. Yet the boys, 12 and 14, have struggled with multiple disabilities — including developmental and speech delays and profound challenges learning to read — that she did not feel the schools could sufficiently diagnose. “Usually when you get a report back from the school, it’s just a few pages, not a comprehensive report,” she says. “I’ve always gotten them more than what the school offers. … I want them to have the best possible start in life.” (Carr, 3/1)
Autism Research News: Early Language Loss In Autistic Children Not Tied To Later Communication Problems
Autistic children who show language regression — a loss of language skills in early childhood — do not necessarily have communication problems later on, a new study finds. In fact, in terms of both speaking and understanding words, these children follow the same overall developmental trajectory as autistic children without language regression, and the two groups display similar communication skills by about age 10. (Choi, 2/28)
SciTechDaily: New Stanford Research Shows Differences Between Brains Of Girls And Boys With Autism
Brain organization differs between boys and girls with autism, according to a new study from the Stanford University School of Medicine. The differences, identified by analyzing hundreds of brain scans with artificial intelligence techniques, were unique to autism and not found in typically developing boys and girls. The research helps explain why autism symptoms differ between the sexes and may pave the way for better diagnostics for girls, according to the scientists. (2/26)
Healthline: Autism And Epilepsy: What You Need To Know If They Occur Together
Autism spectrum and epilepsy frequently occur together. Both conditions affect brain function and behaviors. However, researchers do not yet fully understand why the two conditions share such a strong link. Autism spectrum disorders, or autism, are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders. Autism can affect a person’s social behavior, speech, cognition, and attention. (Holland, 2/28)
