Grandparents May Hold Key to Early Autism Diagnosis

When it comes to recognizing autism, grandparents may know best. This is according to a survey of grandparents of children with autism conducted by the Interactive Autism Project (IAN).

Grandparents are often the first to realize that a young grandchild has autism, but they often hesitate to say something to the child’s parents, which can delay the best available treatment for autism: early intervention. More than 2,600 grandparents responded to the online survey, which was sponsored by the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore and the advocacy group Autism Speaks.

The researchers believe that grandparents may become valuable advocates in raising autism awareness. Read the full article to learn more about the findings of the study, and how senior members of the family are contributing to the care of children with autism.

Many grandparents report that they find it difficult to raise their concerns when they notice their grandchildren behaving differently than expected. Any ideas on how they could communicate their concerns without offending their children or in-laws? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below!