International interest is being shown in a diagnostic tool developed in South Australia which could improve the detection of autistic disorders in young children.

Autism Detection in Early Childhood (ADEC) is based on a set of 16 behavioural tasks that children should be able to complete.

In the past, autism could not be diagnosed until children were three or four years old, but it is hoped the ADEC tool will see the disorder picked up in children as young as 18 months.

Associate professor in psychology at Flinders University, Robyn Young, says the early diagnosis of autism can significantly improve a childs development.

Its critical, because to change a childs behaviour when they are five, six, seven [years old] is really very difficult, particularly when a lot of their behaviour is developed out of frustration for their inability to communicate, she said.

Source: ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)