title: Are there early features of autism in infants and preschool children?
abstract: Autism is characterized by impairments in three areas: (i) reciprocal social interaction; (ii) communication; and (iii) repetitive and stereotyped patterns of interest and behaviour. Despite the finding that parents notice abnormalities and problems with their child's development at a very early age, research shows that diagnoses are often made at an age beyond that recommended for the commencement of early intervention. This paper reviews the range of studies that have sought to elucidate the early features of autism in young, preschool children. Impairments in the capacity for reciprocal social interaction involving preverbal, verbal and non-verbal communication, and play and symbolic behaviour are the key features indicative of autism in infants and preschool children.
authors.affiliation: Monash University Centre for Developmental Psychiatry & Psychology, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. kylie.gray@med.monash.edu.au
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Tonge
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis