University of Washington researchers embarked on a multi-million dollar autism prevention study last week. This research is enrolling 200 infants six months or younger that have an older sibling diagnosed with autism.

It's nice to hear the word 'prevention' when it comes to autism. Especially as the chance of developing autism is much greater if an older sibling has been diagnosed -- about 1 in 20 younger siblings will develop the disorder compared to the 1 in 150 autism rate in the general population.

Researchers point to previous studies showing early intervention results in better outcomes for children with autism. In this study, half the infant participants will enter a control group and be monitored by specialists and referred for community treatment. The other half will join a nine week early intervention program that trains mothers to engage in eye contact with their children. All participants will be evaluated at 12 months for autism. Then the the treatment group will follow a second early intensive intervention program. A final autism evaluation will occur at 24 months for both groups, and results from the control and treatment group will be compared.

Autism is not usually diagnosed until around 24 months. Perhaps these earlier intervention therapies can help undiagnosed infants at risk realize higher functioning along the autism spectrum -- or maybe actual preventive therapies will be identified.