The Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, in partnership with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southwest Florida, offers a free monthly autism spectrum disorder screening for toddlers 18 months to five years of age.

Lehigh Acres parents are invited to attend the screening.

The next screening will be held May 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sanctuary Outpatient Building, 8960 Colonial Center Drive, Fort Myers.

It is estimated that one in every 150 children is diagnosed with some form of Autism Spectrum Disorder, making it more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined, health officials said.

Medical consultants for the project stress that an early diagnosis can make a vast difference for toddlers and their families. They say early intensive behavioral intervention can make an immense difference not just in the development of the child, but in their families as well.

The ASD screening is conducted by the Neurosciences Center at The Children’s Hospital, under the guidance of pediatric neurologist Dr. Jose Colon, and pediatric psychiatrist Marianne Krouk. To schedule a screening, call 239-343-6838.