ClinicalCornerTwo: Early Signs of Autism - The Importance of Parental Observation

[Neilgs]

As a developmental therapist I agree with what you are saying. The only thing that I would expound upon is that it is NOT as crucial whether the child is speaking at 15 or 16 months, even 18 months, as much from a perspective of pervasive developmental disorders (i.e. ASD), whether a child is engaging in meaningful-and-emotional preverbal co-regulated circles of engagement; caregiver reciprocal facial affect and nuanced gesturing. If that is NOT occurring then "verbal language" is secondary!