Clinical assessment and management of toddlers with suspected autism spectrum disorder: insights from studies of high-risk infants.
With increased public awareness of the early signs and recent American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations that all 18- and 24-month-olds be screened for autism spectrum disorders, there is an increasing need for diagnostic assessment of very young children. However, unique challenges exist in applying current diagnostic guidelines for autism spectrum disorders to children under the age of 2 years. In this article, we address challenges related to early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of autism spectrum disorders in this age group. We provide a comprehensive review of findings from recent studies on the early development of children with autism spectrum disorders, summarizing current knowledge on early signs of autism spectrum disorders, the screening properties of early detection tools, and current best practice for diagnostic assessment of autism spectrum disorders before 2 years of age. We also outline principles of effective intervention for children under the age of 2 with suspected/confirmed autism spectrum disorders. It is hoped that ongoing studies will provide an even stronger foundation for evidence-based diagnostic and intervention approaches for this critically important age group.
Zwaigenbaum
Lonnie
L
Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. lonnie.zwaigenbaum@capitalhealth.ca
Bryson
Susan
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Lord
Catherine
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Rogers
Sally
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Carter
Alice
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Carver
Leslie
L
Chawarska
Kasia
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Constantino
John
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Dawson
Geraldine
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Dobkins
Karen
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Fein
Deborah
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Iverson
Jana
J
Klin
Ami
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Landa
Rebecca
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Messinger
Daniel
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Ozonoff
Sally
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Sigman
Marian
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Stone
Wendy
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Tager-Flusberg
Helen
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Yirmiya
Nurit
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D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D002657:Child Development; D003142:Communication; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018730:Infant Behavior; D007802:Language; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires