title: A retrospective study of toddlers with autism spectrum disorder: Clinical and developmental profile.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To retrospectively examine the developmental and clinical characteristics of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in the first 2 years of life in order to narrow the interval between parental concern and getting a reliable diagnosis of autism.
  
  
  METHODS
  The case records of 21 children in whom a diagnosis of ASD was made in the first 2 years of life and confirmed 6 months to 1 year later were examined. The inclusion criterion was absence of neurological, metabolic, or genetic disorders and sensory or motor impairments. These case records were maintained in the Pediatric Psychology Clinic at the Department of Pediatrics of a tertiary care teaching hospital in North India.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average age at presentation to the clinic was 21.23 months (SD = 2.18). The clinical characteristics that were found in two-thirds or more children included lack of speech, inability to follow verbal commands, lack of pretend play, no index finger pointing, difficulty in playing with toys in a constructive manner, lack of joint attention, and motor stereotypies. The mean IQ was 66.62 (SD = 15.11) and the mean SQ as measured by the Vineland Social Maturity Scale was 80.43 (SD = 17.45).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the validity of early diagnosis over time, clinicians should be encouraged not only to make an early diagnosis but also to initiate early interventions in children with ASD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Sector 12, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Prahbhjot
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Malhi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Sector 12, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Pratibha
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Singhi
keywords: Autism spectrum disorders; India; development; toddlers
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