title: [Preschool diagnostic process and changes in diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Autism spectrum disorders [ASD] are characterized by a wide range of neuropsychiatric comorbid disorders which change during early development. Coordinated collaboration between therapists from various disciplines and integrating measurements, may Lead to a comprehensive diagnosis of ASD. A diagnostic kindergarten set-up for children with a preliminary diagnosis of ASD or communication disorder can facilitate a multidisciplinary diagnosis, as an integral part of the child and parental intervention process.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the changes in the diagnosis of children after one year of observation and treatment in a special education set-up, including aspects such as common neuropsychiatric comorbidity, differential diagnosis and subsequent placement recommendations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Changes in the frequencies of ASD diagnoses were calculated prior to and following participation in the kindergarten for 76 children, who studied in the diagnostic kindergarten for ASD at the Weinberg Child Development Center during the last decade. Frequencies of neuropsychiatric comorbid disorders and differential diagnosis were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was found that: half (44.7%) of the preliminary diagnoses changed after a year of treatment; 14.2% of the children admitted with other developmental diagnoses, were subsequently diagnosed with ASD and in the cases of 25% of the children with ASD, their diagnosis was removed. Neuropsychiatric comorbid disorders appeared in 66% of cases. The most common differential diagnosis was Language disability, which appeared in 76% of the cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study reinforces the importance of a thorough assessment process conducted by a multidisciplinary team during and after treatment. A quarter of the children diagnosed with ASD in early childhood may have a different diagnosis later, usually milder, probably as a consequence of developmental changes combined with intensive treatment.
authors.affiliation: The Weinberg Child Development Center, Sheba, Tel-Hashomer.
authors.forename: Maayan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Millikovsky-Ayalon
authors.forename: Rivka
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sofrin
authors.forename: Raanan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Raz
authors.forename: Aya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shilon-Hadass
authors.forename: Marcy
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yehuda
authors.forename: Menashe
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mukamel
authors.forename: Lidia V
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Gabis
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D007806:Language Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*