M: I know that autism is a growing problem and that it can be a devastating condition. But is there any way to test for autism during pregnancy, like doctors do for other diseases? W: Interesting question. Autism spectrum disorder, as it’s called, is a developmental condition that impairs social interaction and communication in various ways. And the short answer is no, there is no blood test to scan for autism in a fetus. But scientists have been working on developing brain scans that could help detect autism in kids and adults. And that could make a big difference. M: Right. Because it’s based mainly on observation, autism can go undetected for a while before it’s recognized.