Given that early caregiver concerns may be different for children who go on to receive a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder versus another developmental disability, early caregiver concerns may differ for girls. Using a community-based sample of children (n = 241), we examined the extent to which gender differences may be related to caregiver…

Data gathered on 1,800 young children indicated that 76 percent of autistic children were identified by parents at 24 months of age, and 94 percent by 36 months. Early onset was most clearly related to severity as measured by intelligence quotient (IQ) and Childhood Autism Rating Scale scores. (Author/JW)