Patterns of development in young children with autism.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the extent to which the developmental profile of children less than 4 years can help in distinguishing children with autism from children with developmental delay.

METHODS

Subjects were 32 children with autism as per the DSM IV criteria and 32 children with developmental delay matched on chronological and academic age. The Developmental Profile II was used to assess the developmental functioning in five domains including physical, social, self help, academic, and communication.

RESULTS

The two groups showed significantly different developmental profiles and these differences were accounted for mainly by significantly lower social skills and superior motor skills in the autistic group as compared to the developmentally delayed group.

CONCLUSION

Developmental Profile II may help in distinguishing young children with autistic disorder from non-autistic children with comparable developmental delays.