Early diagnosis of autism is possible and may improve long term outcomes for the child and ease parents' discomfort. In a clinical review, Baird and colleagues (p 488) discuss the increased attention placed on autism in the media and by the public, clarify its definitions and prevalence, and review how to identify the range of disorders characteristic of autism. Features that may signal autism in different stages of childhood are outlined, as well as common comorbidities and differential diagnoses. The authors state that diagnosis of autism requires careful history taking, focusing on the developmental story, presence of core behaviours, and observation of the child in several settings.
Figure 1.
Credit: ANNABELLA BLUESKY/SPL