Robert Broadhurst, MD

The evidence is powerful. When children with autism and other developmental disorders are diagnosed before they go to kindergarten they are more likely to graduate from high school and lead more productive lives.

Unfortunately, most children weren’t being diagnosed during these critical years.

For Dr. Robert Broadhurst, this was simply unacceptable. So he created an innovative screening program to detect developmental delays as early as four months of age, in ample time to get these kids started on life-changing care.

Using his program, Permanente pediatricians in Northern California now detect 70% to 80% of developmental delay and autism spectrum disorder cases before children enter kindergarten; significantly higher than the national rate of about 30%.

Dr. Broadhurst’s work will truly make a difference in the lives of countless children — now and as they grow into more independent, productive adults.