Can autism spectrum disorders be distinguished from other atypical patterns of development at an early age?
Several prospective studies have demonstrated that experienced clinicians can reliably make the diagnosis in 2-year-old children referred by primary care physicians, and that there are specific features that distinguish these children from others who have isolated language or general cognitive delays. What you can do as a therapist 1) Familiarize yourself with the signs and symptoms of autism (see the related article, Risk Markers (‘Red Flags’) for Autism, in this issue). 2) Pay heed to parents’ concerns about their child’s early language and social skills. 3) Watch and ask questions about how the child interacts, communicates and plays. 4) Ensure prompt referral of children failing to achieve key communication milestones or showing other ‘red flags’ indicative of risk of autism spectrum disorder. Adapted from Autistic spectrum disorders in preschool children: how to distinguish from other atypical patterns of development, Canadian Family Practitioner, 47, 2037-2045. Dr. Zwaigenbaum is
