Pathogenic E. coli strains use a multi-step scheme of pathogenesis that is similar to that used by other mucosal pathogens, which consists of colonization of a mucosal site, evasion of host defences, multiplication and host damage.
Research suggests that autism can be reliably diagnosed by age 2, but this study found that fewer than half of children with autism are diagnosed by age 5. Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that affects as many as 1 in 88 U.S. children, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In older children and adults two autism specific screening tools are the SRS (Social Responsiveness Scale) and the SCQ (Social Communication Questionnaire). The gold standard research tools used to help make an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis are the ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) and the ADI (Autism Diagnostic Inventory). These tools along with clinician judgment are used to make an autism diagnosis.