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Parental Recognition of Developmental Problems in Toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Abstract

Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) begin to manifest during the first 2 years; there is limited evidence regarding type and timing of symptom onset. We examined factors related to parental age of recognition (AOR) of early abnormalities and the association between AOR and diagnosis and levels of functioning at 2 and 4 years in 75 toddlers with ASD. Results suggest significant differences between autism and PDD-NOS in the AOR and type of first concerns. Early social and motor delays as well as maternal age was associated with AOR. Later AOR was associated with poorer social-communicative and nonverbal cognitive functioning at 2 and 4. The findings are discussed in a context of identifying distinct developmental trajectories within the autism spectrum.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the NAAR grants and NIMH Grant # U54 MH66494 awarded to Fred Volkmar, Katarzyna Chawarska, Ami Klin, and Rhea Paul. We would like to thank the children and their parents who participated in the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA

    Katarzyna Chawarska, Rhea Paul, Ami Klin, Sarah Hannigen, Laura E. Dichtel & Fred Volkmar

  2. Department of Communication Disorders, Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT, USA

    Rhea Paul

Authors
  1. Katarzyna Chawarska
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  2. Rhea Paul
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  3. Ami Klin
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  4. Sarah Hannigen
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  5. Laura E. Dichtel
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  6. Fred Volkmar
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Correspondence to Katarzyna Chawarska.

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Chawarska, K., Paul, R., Klin, A. et al. Parental Recognition of Developmental Problems in Toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorders. J Autism Dev Disord 37, 62–72 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-006-0330-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-006-0330-8

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