Early developmental delay in children with autism: A study from a developing country.

Area of Science:

• Developmental Pediatrics
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Global Child Health

Background:

• Early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is vital for timely intervention.
• Diagnosis is often delayed in less developed countries, hindering early treatment.
• Simple, cost-effective screening methods are needed for broader accessibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the utility of motor skill acquisition milestones for early ASD screening.
• To assess if delays in achieving basic motor milestones correlate with ASD diagnosis.
• To evaluate the feasibility of using existing developmental standards for ASD screening in resource-limited settings.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study involving 124 children diagnosed with ASD.
• Parents reported the age of acquisition for sitting, standing, and walking milestones.
• Acquisition ages were compared against World Health Organization (WHO) developmental standards.

Main Results:

• Children with ASD demonstrated significantly delayed acquisition of sitting, standing, and walking skills.
• The delays were consistent across both male and female participants.
• Comparison with WHO standards revealed a clear pattern of developmental lag in motor skills.

Conclusions:

• Comparing motor skill acquisition against established standards offers a simple, low-cost method for early ASD screening.
• This approach can facilitate earlier diagnosis and prompt intervention, especially in regions with limited diagnostic resources.
• Utilizing readily available developmental milestones can bridge the gap in early detection of autism spectrum disorder.