Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 26, 2025

Portable Intermodal Preferential Looking IPL: Investigating Language Comprehension in Typically Developing Toddlers and Young Children with Autism
10:11

Portable Intermodal Preferential Looking IPL: Investigating Language Comprehension in Typically Developing Toddlers and Young Children with Autism

Published on: December 14, 2012

18.6K

Parent-reported atypical development in the first year of life and age of autism diagnosis

Hannah Waddington1, Ella Macaskill2, Andrew J O Whitehouse3,4

  • 1School of Education, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand. Hannah.Waddington@vuw.ac.nz.

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|April 20, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Parent-reported atypical child development in the first year is linked to earlier specialist consultations. Specific social and behavioral signs also correlated with an earlier autism diagnosis age.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatric Medicine
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder Research

Background:

  • Early identification of developmental differences is crucial for timely intervention in children.
  • Parental concerns regarding atypical development often precede formal diagnosis.
  • Understanding the relationship between specific developmental patterns and diagnostic timelines can improve early support pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between parent-identified atypical development in infancy and the age of autism diagnosis.
  • To examine the link between specific atypical developmental domains and the age at which parents sought specialist consultation.
  • To analyze retrospective parent reports of developmental variations within a cohort of children.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of parent-reported developmental data from 423 children in the Australian Autism Biobank.
  • Categorization of atypical developmental domains based on parental identification.
  • Statistical examination of correlations between identified developmental atypicalities and age of diagnosis/specialist consultation.

Main Results:

  • Most parents identified at least one domain of atypical development.
  • Atypical development across most domains was associated with an earlier age of parental specialist consultation.
  • Specific social domain atypicalities (gaze abnormalities, lack of social response, no social communication) and stereotyped behavior atypicalities (hypo/hypersensitivity, preoccupation with objects) were linked to earlier diagnosis ages.

Conclusions:

  • Parental recognition of atypical development in infancy is a significant indicator for seeking early specialist advice.
  • Certain early social and behavioral indicators are strongly associated with an earlier age of autism diagnosis.
  • These findings underscore the importance of parental reporting in the early identification and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.

Keywords:
Atypical developmentAutism spectrum disorderDiagnosisHelp seekingParental concerns

More Related Videos

Use of a Video Scoring Anchor for Rapid Serial Assessment of Social Communication in Toddlers09:16

Use of a Video Scoring Anchor for Rapid Serial Assessment of Social Communication in Toddlers

Published on: March 14, 2018

10.4K
Using the Visual World Paradigm to Study Sentence Comprehension in Mandarin-Speaking Children with Autism06:15

Using the Visual World Paradigm to Study Sentence Comprehension in Mandarin-Speaking Children with Autism

Published on: October 3, 2018

7.8K

Related Concept Videos

Autism Spectrum Disorder01:19

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
448
Piaget's Stage 1 of Cognitive Development01:14

Piaget's Stage 1 of Cognitive Development

The sensorimotor stage, the initial phase of Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, spans the first two years of a child's life. During this period, infants actively engage with their surroundings, building cognitive awareness through direct interaction with the world. This interaction is primarily based on sensory perception and motor actions, allowing infants to gradually understand basic physical properties and predict how objects interact within their environment.
Exploration...
876
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
392
Language Development01:22

Language Development

Children master language quickly and with relative ease, supported by both biological predisposition and reinforcement. B. F. Skinner (1957) proposed that language is learned through reinforcement, while Noam Chomsky (1965) argued that language acquisition mechanisms are biologically determined.
The critical period for language acquisition suggests that the ability to acquire language is at its peak early in life. As people age, this proficiency decreases. Language development begins very...
485
Oppositional Defiant Disorder01:30

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

A persistent pattern of angry or irritable mood, defiant behavior, or vindictiveness characterizes Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Symptoms must occur over at least six months, involve interactions with individuals beyond siblings, and meet specific diagnostic criteria to be clinically significant. The disorder affects emotional regulation, social interactions, and behavior, often manifesting early in life and influencing long-term development and functioning.
Diagnostic Criteria and...
171
Cognitive Development During Adolescence01:18

Cognitive Development During Adolescence

During adolescence, individuals experience significant cognitive development that enhances their understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, known as cognitive empathy. This period is marked by an increased ability to adapt to others' perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of others' mental states, a skill that is foundational for social problem-solving and conflict avoidance. The development of cognitive empathy relies heavily on the theory of mind — the...
149