title: [Autistic spectrum disorders in very young children: issues in the diagnostic process].
abstract: The diagnosis of very young children with autistic spectrum disorders and differentiating the disorder from mental retardation are difficult in the early years. Some efforts to improve diagnostic practice are reviewed. The usefulness of standardized behavioural rating scales, observation of core deficits in communication and play and parental reports are discussed in view of the author's experience with 13 children (2-4 years of age). Even in the case of diagnostic uncertainty, focussing early intervention on core symptoms of autism and supporting responsive parent-child interactions is recommended in order to prevent further social isolation of children with autistic features.
authors.affiliation: sarimski.kiz@gmx.de
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sarimski
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010988:Play and Playthings