A retrospective study of toddlers with autism spectrum disorder: Clinical and developmental profile
Prahbhjot Malhi1, Pratibha Singhi1
1Department of Pediatrics, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Sector 12, Chandigarh, India.
Insights
Early identification of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children under two is possible. Key signs include lack of speech, pretend play, and joint attention, enabling earlier diagnosis and intervention.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Child Psychology
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
Background:
- Parental concern often precedes formal diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
- Understanding early developmental and clinical characteristics is crucial for timely intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine early developmental and clinical features of children diagnosed with ASD within the first two years of life.
- To shorten the time between parental concern and a reliable ASD diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 21 children diagnosed with ASD in early childhood.
- Inclusion criteria: absence of other neurological, metabolic, genetic, sensory, or motor impairments.
- Data sourced from a tertiary care teaching hospital in North India.
Main Results:
- Average age at presentation was 21.23 months.
- Common characteristics (≥2/3 children): absent speech, poor response to commands, lack of pretend play, no index finger pointing, difficulty with constructive play, absent joint attention, motor stereotypies.
- Mean IQ: 66.62; Mean SQ (Vineland Social Maturity Scale): 80.43.
Conclusions:
- Early diagnosis of ASD is valid and achievable within the first two years.
- Clinicians should prioritize early diagnosis and intervention initiation for children with ASD.
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.
Materials And 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.
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