Abstract
Objective:
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder with core deficits in socialization, communication, and behavior. Early diagnosis of autism is closely related with increasing concern and experience of specialists and parental awareness. In this paper early symtoms and diagnosis of autism, early diagnostic tools were reviewed and the importance of early diagnosis was focused.
Method:
Researches and reviews were screened and developmental characteristics were summarized.
Results:
Diagnosing autism is most difficult during infancy. Because of this reason to put an accurate diagnosis recurrent evaluation is generally necessary for this age group. A better knowledge of the first signs of the autism and monitoring regularly the developmental level of the communication and emotional engagement of the baby would allow a better prognosis. In order to evaluate language development, social interaction and behavior before three years of age, it is crucial to known the developmental properties of this period and early symptoms of autism. Besides detailed history and clinical examination screening tests are also useful.
Discussion:
Early diagnosis gives the chance of early treatment and positively effects the process of the treatment. In this period giving support to the parents and educating them are also very important.
Keywords: Autism, early symptoms, early diagnosis, screening tools
