TABLE 2.

Recommendations for Diagnoses of Possible ASDs in Infants and Toddlers

The diagnostic process must be led by a clinician experienced in working with infants and toddlers with ASDs.

Information should be obtained from

A standardized observation with predetermined tasks and scoring

Parent report and developmental history concerning social and communication skills, repetitive interests/behaviors, as well as sleep, feeding, and sensorimotor issues

Structured observation of social, communication, and play skills and repetitive interests/behaviors

Standardized assessment of cognitive, language, and adaptive/daily living skills

Judgment of an experienced clinician, in consultation with a multidisciplinary team, based on interpretation of all available results

Treatment recommendations should be tied to specific symptoms, although often these are symptoms having to do with delays or lack of behaviors rather than the presence of abnormalities

Parents should be given clear information about what will happen next

What are appropriate treatment goals?

What are the options for treatment now and later?

How can they monitor progress?

When should the child be reevaluated?