Patterns of development in young children with autism.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the extent to which the developmental profile of children less than 4 years can help in distinguishing children with autism from children with developmental delay.


METHODS
Subjects were 32 children with autism as per the DSM IV criteria and 32 children with developmental delay matched on chronological and academic age. The Developmental Profile II was used to assess the developmental functioning in five domains including physical, social, self help, academic, and communication.


RESULTS
The two groups showed significantly different developmental profiles and these differences were accounted for mainly by significantly lower social skills and superior motor skills in the autistic group as compared to the developmentally delayed group.


CONCLUSIONS
Developmental Profile II may help in distinguishing young children with autistic disorder from non-autistic children with comparable developmental delays.
Malhi
Prahbhjot
P
Department of Pediatrics, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Sector 12, Chandigarh-160 012, India. pmalhi18@hotmail.com
Singhi
Pratibha
P
D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011581:Psychological Tests