Delayed visual maturation and autism.
Three boys are described with a mixed developmental disorder, which so far appears to have a relatively good prognosis. Each boy presented in early infancy with visual unresponsiveness, which spontaneously resolved. This delayed visual maturation was accompanied or followed by severe autistic impairment, general developmental delay, hypotonia and clumsiness. Subsequent progress has been unexpectedly favourable, with striking improvements in language, play, social interest and social competence. Widespread, patchy delay in brain maturation could possibly account for this combination of delayed visual maturation and autism, with a good prognosis.
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, London.
R
R
Goodman
L
L
Ashby
D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001766:Blindness / Q000175:diagnosis; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014787:Vision Tests