title: Clinical considerations in the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders.
abstract: The diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) is being made more frequently in children and at younger ages. This paper discusses various factors to be considered in the screening of autism, early features of presentation, relevant to assessment and diagnosis, subtypes or different syndromes within the spectrum of autistic conditions including Asperger syndrome, the differential diagnosis from learning and language disorders and the medical and behavioural commonly associated disorders.
authors.affiliation: Newcomen Centre Guys and St Thomas' Trust, London. Gillion.Baird@gstt.sthames.nhs.nk
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Baird
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Charman
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Santosh
mesh_terms: D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002648:Child; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D007806:Language Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D009048:Motor Skills; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012919:Social Behavior