Presented by: Lonnie Zwaigenbaum
Date: Thursday, October 23, 2008
Time: 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Session: Session 11

Outline of Presentation

Although children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are often not diagnosed until they are over the age of 3-4 years, many parents identify concerns by 12-18 months of age. Research with high-risk infants has provided new insights into how the behavioral signs of ASD first emerge, and how ‘regression’ or skill loss may occur on a continuum of developmental patterns involving qualitative changes in social and communicative behaviors and plateauing of language and cognitive development in the first 2 years of life. This case-based presentation will use videotaped examples to illustrate how atypical patterns of communication, social and play development can help identify infants and toddlers at increased risk of ASD. Implications for early identification, screening and intervention strategies will also be discussed.