Developmental Profile of Infants with Autism

Background: It is unknown whether developmental screenings performed on a normal population in a community setting can identify children at risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the first year of life. Objectives: To identify the developmental profile of infants later diagnosed with ASD. Methods: Since 2007 we have trained 263 educators from Parents as Teachers programs (PAT) to observe red flags for autism and to document the developmental milestones of children enrolled in 26 PAT programs in Missouri and Illinois. 3067 children were evaluated using developmental and ASD screenings starting at 5-7 months of age. Between 5-27 months of age these children had developmental and ASD screening every 6 months. We used the Ireton Child Development Chart (ICDC) at around 6,12,18 and 24 months of age, the Red Flags for Communication Scale that is an observation scale for red flags for autism at around 6 and 12 months of age and the M-CHAT autism screening test at around 18 and 24 months of age. Since January 2009, all the 5-27 months old children that failed either the RFC or the M-CHAT were referred to our study for a developmental assessment that included standardized observation scales for autism, language, fine motor, cognitive, adaptive measures and a sensory profile. The ASD diagnosis that was based on the DSM-IV TR criteria was made by a developmental pediatrician. Results: Since January 2009 we have enrolled 8 study patients (age range of 12-27 months, Caucasians) that failed the autism screening between 11-27 months of age. T test was used to compare the early developmental profile of the ASD group (n=4, age range 22-27 months, 75% males) versus the nonASD group (n=4, age range 12-23 months, 75% males, 2 cases with language disorder, 1 case with fine motor delay and 1 case with gross motor delay). At the age of 5-7 months the ASD group had significantly lower scores on the ICDC developmental quotients in language (mean=81.5, SD=13.53) vs. the nonASD group (mean=121, SD=19.51) (p<0.01). At 5-7 months of age, the ICDC developmental quotients in social skills were also significantly lower in the ASD group (mean=71, SD=36) vs. the nonASD group (mean=110, SD=15) (p<0.05). Data on additional subjects that will be enrolled in our study over the next months will be presented. Conclusions: Defining an autistic pattern on an early developmental screening test could help to identify infants at risk for ASD. ________________________________________