The Very Early Identification of Autism: Outcome to Age 4½–5

Forty-nine 2 years olds with social and language characteristics suggestive of autism were identified by community professionals and screening tools, then given a diagnostic assessment and reexamined at age 41/2. Agreement between autism clinic and screenings was high, with 88% receiving a diagnosis on the autism spectrum. The children were lower functioning relative to the autism population, thus more likely to be identified early. Reliability...