comment: So according to the article, the test measures exposures to metals that are associated with the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and is 81% accurate. It can help children receive early therapy, medication, and intervention.
  There are some potential problems with this.
  
  ASD has significant environmental components - the mother’s exposure to certain air pollution while pregnant seems to be a significant factor - but also genetic components, and we’re still not completely sure how each component contributes.
  81% accuracy as opposed to a high 90s accuracy rate may provide enough wiggle room that insurance companies may not be willing to cover interventions without a more accurate test that can be performed later in life.
  ASD is a spectrum and a very wide one at that. You don’t know how symptoms will manifest in a particular individual, how they will impact that individual’s life, or what therapies will be appropriate until symptoms appear, and whatever you do before symptoms show up may not be appropriate to what is actually going to happen and may harm both you and your child.