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Group steps up push to screen for autism

CHICAGO

The country's leading pediatricians group is making its strongest push yet to have all children screened for autism twice by age 2, warning of symptoms such as babies who don't babble at 9 months and 1-year-olds who don't point to toys. The advice is meant to help both parents and doctors spot autism sooner. There is no cure for the disorder, but experts say that early therapy can lessen its severity. Symptoms to watch for and the call for early screening come in two new reports. They are being released by the American Academy of Pediatrics today at its annual meeting in San Francisco and will appear in the November issue of the journal Pediatrics and on the group's Web site, www.aap.org.

DES MOINES, Iowa

Democrats to hold caucuses on Jan. 3

Iowa Democrats voted Sunday to move their leadoff precinct caucuses to Jan. 3, the same date Republicans picked earlier this month, letting both parties continue the tradition of meeting on the same night. The state's precinct caucuses had been scheduled for Jan. 14, but the parties decided to move them up under pressure from other states rushing to the beginning of the primary calendar.

WASHINGTON

Answer sought from nominee

A Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee said Sunday that he might consider opposing Michael Mukasey's nomination for attorney general if the former judge says waterboarding is not torture. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., joined two top Senate Democrats in urging Mukasey to disclose his views. Mukasey so far has refused to say explicitly what his position is on the lawfulness of the interrogation technique, which simulates drowning. He would succeed Alberto Gonzales.

[Last modified October 29, 2007, 01:06:59]