Schools, doctors need to cooperate

To the editor:

I appreciate your presentation of information on autism in Missouri.

When I first became interested in children with autism, I had to spend days researching different sources. The information in your articles is stated in a clear format that anyone could understand.

One question: Is there a way educators and doctors could work together for diagnosis? The doctor only spends a limited time with a child. Educators would see the child every day.

Could a checklist or other survey be used by a doctor that showed classroom or daycare behavior? This is done in our area with students being evaluated for learning disabilities. It has proved quite effective.

Thanks again for well-done, clear and informative articles.

LUANNE LAWRENCE

Woodruff, S.C.