title: Early Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Recommendations for Practice and Research.
abstract: Early identification of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is essential to ensure that children can access specialized evidence-based interventions that can help to optimize long-term outcomes. Early identification also helps shorten the stressful "diagnostic odyssey" that many families experience before diagnosis. There have been important advances in research into the early development of ASDs, incorporating prospective designs and new technologies aimed at more precisely delineating the early emergence of ASD. Thus, an updated review of the state of the science of early identification of ASD was needed to inform best practice. These issues were the focus of a multidisciplinary panel of clinical practitioners and researchers who completed a literature review and reached consensus on current evidence addressing the question "What are the earliest signs and symptoms of ASD in children aged ≤24 months that can be used for early identification?" Summary statements address current knowledge on early signs of ASD, potential contributions and limitations of prospective research with high-risk infants, and priorities for promoting the incorporation of this knowledge into clinical practice and future research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; lonniez@ualberta.ca.
authors.forename: Lonnie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zwaigenbaum
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts;
authors.forename: Margaret L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Bauman
authors.affiliation: Departments of Psychology and.
authors.forename: Wendy L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Stone
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, Israel;
authors.forename: Nurit
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yirmiya
authors.affiliation: Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington;
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Estes
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis MIND Institute, Sacramento, California;
authors.forename: Robin L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.affiliation: Yale Child Study Center, New Haven, Connecticut;
authors.forename: James C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: McPartland
authors.affiliation: Genomic Medicine Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio;
authors.forename: Marvin R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Natowicz
authors.affiliation: Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Memorial Children's Medical Center, Worcester, Massachusetts;
authors.forename: Roula
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Choueiri
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut;
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fein
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Education & Information Studies, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California;
authors.forename: Connie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kasari
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California;
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pierce
authors.affiliation: Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Boston, Massachusetts;
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Buie
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts, Boston, Massachusetts;
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.affiliation: Integrated Center for Child Development, Newton, Massachusetts;
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Tarzana, California;
authors.forename: Doreen
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Granpeesheh
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;
authors.forename: Zoe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mailloux
authors.affiliation: A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Newschaffer
authors.affiliation: A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Robins
authors.affiliation: USC Mrs T.H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Los Angeles, California;
authors.forename: Susanne Smith
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Roley
authors.affiliation: Behavioral Development & Educational Services, New Bedford, Massachusetts; and.
authors.forename: Sheldon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, Florida.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wetherby
mesh_terms: D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015415:Biomarkers; D035843:Biomedical Research; D002675:Child, Preschool; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018570:Risk Assessment
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers