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.

The next screening will be held June 18 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Schandler Hall Community Park, 419 Royal Palm Park Road, 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.

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. The screenings are administered by an advanced registered nurse practitioner, who has extensive training and experience in typical child development and developmental disorders.

A physician referral is not required. To schedule a screening, just call 239-343-6838.

Open since 1916, Lee Memorial Health System (LMHS) is the seventh largest public health system in the United States and the largest community-owned health system in Southwest Florida with hospitals in both Fort Myers and Cape Coral. With more than 10,000 employees, LMHS is made up of four acute care hospitals and two specialty hospitals, as well as outpatient centers, walk-in medical centers and primary care physician offices. An award-winning health care system, LMHS provides regional programs, such as its Trauma Center and Children’s Hospital, which serve community members from Tampa to Miami. Visit www.leememorial.org for more information.