Prospective Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Infancy and Toddlerhood Using Developmental Surveillance: The Social Attention and Communication Study

This publication is included in the Autistic Autism Scholarship Project. one author of this publication is identified as autistic in the project.

About the autistic author marker

Metadata sources used for this reference

OpenAlex Crossref OpenCitations
Learn more about the sources used

Barbaro, J. & Dissanayake, C. (2010). Prospective Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Infancy and Toddlerhood Using Developmental Surveillance: The Social Attention and Communication Study. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 31(5), 376-385. https://doi.org/10.1097/dbp.0b013e3181df7f3c

Publication date: 20 May 2010 Added to AutiHub: 7 Sep 2026 Type: Article Article language: English
Publisher source (DOI) OpenAlex source

This publication is integrated into AutiHub through:

Authors

Publication authors
2
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 2 (50.0%)
  1. Josephine Barbaro *
  2. Cheryl Dissanayake

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Despite behavioral markers of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) being evident within the first year of life, there remains little research on the prospective identification of these children in a community-based setting before 18 months. The aim in the Social Attention and Communication Study was to identify infants and toddlers at risk of an ASD during their first 2 years. METHODS: A total of 241 Maternal and Child Health nurses were trained on the early signs of ASDs at 8, 12, 18 and 24 months. Using a developmental surveillance approach with a community-based sample, a cohort of 20,770 children was monitored on early social attention and communication behaviors. Those infants/toddlers identified as "at risk" were referred to the Social Attention and Communication Study team from 12 months for developmental and diagnostic assessments at 6 monthly intervals, until 24 months. RESULTS: A total of 216 children were referred, with 110 being further assessed. Of these, 89 children were classified with an ASD at 24 months, and 20 children had developmental and/or language delays, resulting in a Positive Predictive value of 81%. The estimated rate of ASDs in the Social Attention and Communication Study cohort ranged from 1:119 to 1:233 children. Estimated sensitivity ranged from 69% to 83.8%, and estimated specificity ranged from 99.8% to 99.9%. CONCLUSION: Developmental surveillance of social and communication behaviors, which differ according to the age at which the child is monitored, enables the accurate identification of children at risk for ASDs between 12 and 24 months. Education on the early signs is recommended for all primary health care professionals to facilitate early identification of ASDs.

Bibliography cited by this reference

Cited references are imported from external metadata sources when they are available. The list may be partial.

Cited bibliography overview

These indicators describe the bibliography cited by this publication. An author name is counted each time it appears in one cited reference, so the same person can be counted more than once. Names not yet linked to an author already present in AutiHub are treated as unknown, not as non-autistic. Last computed: 12 Sep 2026 01:04.

Cited references
56
With a DOI
43
Without a DOI, from raw bibliography text
11
2 / 56 (3.6%) cited references include at least one author identified as autistic.
References with data to complete
2 / 56 (3.6%)
References with detected author names
54 / 56 (96.4%)
Without detected author names
2
Without a structured title
0
Without a stable identifier
9
References with raw author names still to review
0
References with external metadata lookup issues
0
These indicators apply to cited references displayed on this page, after technical duplicates have been merged. A reference without a DOI can still support author statistics when a title and author names are available.
Author names detected in the cited bibliography
254
From DOI or external metadata
254
From validated raw bibliography text
0
Raw names already validated
0
Raw names still to review
0
66 / 254 (26.0%) names are linked to an author already present in AutiHub. 188 / 254 (74.0%) names are not yet linked.
Names linked to a person identified as autistic
2 / 254 (0.8%)
Calculated across all author names detected in the cited bibliography. Among names linked to an author already present in AutiHub: 2 / 66 (3.0%). Distinct people identified as autistic: 1 / 190 (0.5%).
  1. Juhi Pandey (2008). The modified checklist for autism in toddlers (M-CHAT) sibling study: are younger siblings representative of the general ASD population? Dissertation Abstracts International: Section B: The Sciences and Engineering, 68(8-B), 5586.
    Type: Dissertation OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W196385428
    Crossref OpenAlex
  2. (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fourth Edition - Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR). 4th ed.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  3. Emily Werner , Géraldine Dawson , Julie Osterling , Nuhad Dinno (2000). Brief Report: Recognition of Autism Spectrum Disorder Before One Year of Age: A Retrospective Study Based on Home Videotapes . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 30(2), 157-162. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1023/a:1005463707029 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1942840158
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  4. Julia Halpin , Barbara Nugent (2007). Health visitors' perceptions of their role in autism spectrum disorder . Community Practitioner, 80(1), 18.
    Type: Article OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W203786594
    Crossref OpenAlex
  5. Katrina Williams , Sarah MacDermott , Greta Ridley , Emma J Glasson , John Wray (2008). The prevalence of autism in Australia. Can it be established from existing data? Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 44(9), 504-510. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1754.2008.01331.x OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2096224488
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  6. Juhi Pandey , Alyssa Verbalis , Diana L. Robins , Hilary Boorstein , Ami Klin , Tammy Babitz et al. (2008). Screening for autism in older and younger toddlers with the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers . Autism, 12(5), 513-535. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/1362361308094503 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2118347694
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  7. Institute of Medicine and National Research Council (2000). From Neurons to Neighborhoods . National Academies Press.
    Type: Book DOI: 10.17226/9824 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1731306270
    OpenAlex
  8. Gillian Baird , Emily Simonoff , Andrew Pickles , Susie Chandler , Tom Loucas , David Meldrum et al. (2006). Prevalence of disorders of the autism spectrum in a population cohort of children in South Thames: the Special Needs and Autism Project (SNAP) . The Lancet, 368(9531), 210-215. Elsevier BV.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(06)69041-7 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2151524361
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  9. Catherine Lord (1995). Follow‐Up of Two‐Year‐Olds Referred for Possible Autism . Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 36(8), 1365-1382. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7610.1995.tb01669.x OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1996107567
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  10. Michael D. Kogan , Stephen J. Blumberg , Laura A. Schieve , Coleen A. Boyle , James M. Perrin , Reem M. Ghandour et al. (2009). Prevalence of Parent-Reported Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children in the US, 2007 . Pediatrics, 124(5), 1395-1403. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1542/peds.2009-1522 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2125776341
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  11. Natacha Akshoomoff (2006). Use of the Mullen Scales of Early Learning for the Assessment of Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders . Child Neuropsychology, 12(4-5), 269-277. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/09297040500473714 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1964333966
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  12. Sally J. Rogers , DAVID L. DILALLA (1990). Age of Symptom Onset in Young Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders . Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 29(6), 863-872. Elsevier BV.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1097/00004583-199011000-00004 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1984785299
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  13. Claudine Dietz , Sophie Swinkels , Emma van Daalen , Herman van Engeland , Jan K. Buitelaar (2006). Screening for Autistic Spectrum Disorder in Children Aged 14–15 Months. II: Population Screening with the Early Screening of Autistic Traits Questionnaire (ESAT). Design and General Findings . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 36(6), 713-722. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-006-0114-1 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2026603648
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  14. DAVID S. MANDELL , Maytali M. Novak , Cynthia D. Zubritsky (2005). Factors Associated With Age of Diagnosis Among Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders . Pediatrics, 116(6), 1480-1486. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1542/peds.2005-0185 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1969616719
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  16. Kylie M. Gray , Bruce Tonge (2001). Are there early features of autism in infants and preschool children? Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 37(3), 221-226. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1046/j.1440-1754.2001.00653.x OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1974208967
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  17. Robyn L. Young , Neil Brewer , Clare Pattison (2003). Parental Identification of Early Behavioural Abnormalities in Children with Autistic Disorder . Autism, 7(2), 125-143. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/1362361303007002002 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2013454865
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  18. Lonnie Zwaigenbaum , Audrey Thurm , Wendy L. Stone , Grace T. Baranek , Susan Bryson , Jana Iverson et al. (2007). Studying the Emergence of Autism Spectrum Disorders in High-risk Infants: Methodological and Practical Issues . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37(3), 466-480. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-006-0179-x OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2155582329
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  19. Geri Fox (2002). From Neurons to Neighborhoods: The Science of Early Childhood Development . Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 41(5), 625-626. Elsevier BV.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1097/00004583-200205000-00022 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1979693429
    OpenAlex
  20. Council on Children With Disabilities , Section on Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics , Bright Futures Steering Committee , Medical Home Initiatives for Children With Special Needs Project Advisory Committee (2006). Identifying Infants and Young Children With Developmental Disorders in the Medical Home: An Algorithm for Developmental Surveillance and Screening . Pediatrics, 118(1), 405-420. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1542/peds.2006-1231 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2115375295
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  21. Catherine Lord , Michael Rutter , Ann Le Couteur (1994). Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised: A revised version of a diagnostic interview for caregivers of individuals with possible pervasive developmental disorders . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 24(5), 659-685. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/bf02172145 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1980309199
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  22. JULIE A. OSTERLING , Géraldine Dawson , JEFFREY A. MUNSON (2002). Early recognition of 1-year-old infants with autism spectrum disorder versus mental retardation . Development and Psychopathology, 14(2), 239-251. Cambridge University Press (CUP).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1017/s0954579402002031 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2167872172
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  23. Jennifer A. Pinto-Martin , Margaret C. Souders , Ellen Giarelli , Susan E. Levy (2005). The Role of Nurses in Screening for Autistic Spectrum Disorder in Pediatric Primary Care . Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 20(3), 163-169. Elsevier BV.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2005.01.004 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2006421664
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  24. Emily Werner , Géraldine Dawson (2005). Validation of the Phenomenon of Autistic Regression Using Home Videotapes . Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(8), 889. American Medical Association (AMA).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1001/archpsyc.62.8.889 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2041232497
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  25. Sophie H. N. Swinkels , Claudine Dietz , Emma van Daalen , Ine H. G. M. Kerkhof , Herman van Engeland , Jan K. Buitelaar (2006). Screening for Autistic Spectrum in Children Aged 14 to 15 Months. I: The Development of the Early Screening of Autistic Traits Questionnaire (ESAT) . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 36(6), 723-732. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-006-0115-0 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1990953646
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  26. Sally J. Rogers (2009). What are infant siblings teaching us about autism in infancy? Autism Research, 2(3), 125-137. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1002/aur.81 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1989346891
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  27. Jamie M. Kleinman , Diana L. Robins , Pamela Ventola , Juhi Pandey , Hilary C. Boorstein , Emma L. Esser et al. (2008). The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers: A Follow-up Study Investigating the Early Detection of Autism Spectrum Disorders . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38(5), 827-839. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-007-0450-9 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2159890470
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  28. Young (2002). International Review of Research in Mental Retardation. Vol 25:107–134.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  29. Géraldine Dawson (2008). Early behavioral intervention, brain plasticity, and the prevention of autism spectrum disorder . Development and Psychopathology, 20(3), 775-803. Cambridge University Press (CUP).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1017/s0954579408000370 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2116697664
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  30. Ann Le Couteur , Gyles Haden , Donna Hammal , Helen McConachie (2008). Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorders in Pre-school Children Using Two Standardised Assessment Instruments: The ADI-R and the ADOS . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38(2), 362-372. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-007-0403-3 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2081375082
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  31. (2000). From Neurons to Neighborhoods: The Science of Early Childhood Development.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  32. Gillian Baird , Tony Charman , Simon Baron-Cohen , ANTONY COX , JOHN SWETTENHAM , SALLY WHEELWRIGHT et al. (2000). A Screening Instrument for Autism at 18 Months of Age: A 6-Year Follow-up Study . Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 39(6), 694-702. Elsevier BV.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1097/00004583-200006000-00007 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2018786179
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  33. Anthony Bailey , A. Le Couteur , I. Gottesman , P. Bolton , Emily Simonoff , E. Yuzda et al. (1995). Autism as a strongly genetic disorder: evidence from a British twin study . Psychological Medicine, 25(1), 63-77. Cambridge University Press (CUP).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1017/s0033291700028099 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2123739801
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  34. Simon Baron-Cohen , Antony Cox , Gillian Baird , John Swettenham , Natasha Nightingale , Kate Morgan et al. (1996). Psychological Markers in the Detection of Autism in Infancy in a Large Population . British Journal of Psychiatry, 168(2), 158-163. Royal College of Psychiatrists.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1192/bjp.168.2.158 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2120269170
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  35. Amy M. Wetherby , Susan Brosnan-Maddox , Vickie Peace , Laura Newton (2008). Validation of the Infant—Toddler Checklist as a broadband screener for autism spectrum disorders from 9 to 24 months of age . Autism, 12(5), 487-511. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/1362361308094501 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2123409099
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  37. Brian J. O'Roak , Matthew W. State (2008). Autism genetics: strategies, challenges, and opportunities . Autism Research, 1(1), 4-17. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1002/aur.3 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2058314123
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  38. Tony Charman , Emma Taylor , Auriol Drew , Helen Cockerill , Jo‐Anne Brown , Gillian Baird (2005). Outcome at 7 years of children diagnosed with autism at age 2: predictive validity of assessments conducted at 2 and 3 years of age and pattern of symptom change over time . Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 46(5), 500-513. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2004.00377.x OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2036379035
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  39. Virginia Wong , Lai-Hing Stella Hui , Wing-Cheong Lee , Lok-Sum Joy Leung , Po-Ki Polly Ho , Wai-Ling Christine Lau et al. (2004). A Modified Screening Tool for Autism (Checklist for Autism in Toddlers [CHAT-23]) for Chinese Children . Pediatrics, 114(2), e166-e176. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1542/peds.114.2.e166 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2132581208
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  40. Lonnie Zwaigenbaum , Susan Bryson , Catherine Lord , Sally J. Rogers , Alice Carter , Leslie Carver et al. (2009). Clinical assessment and management of toddlers with suspected autism spectrum disorder: insights from studies of high-risk infants. Pediatrics, 123(5), 1383. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1542/peds.2008-1606 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2097132700
    Crossref OpenAlex
  41. Lauren M. Turner , Wendy L. Stone , Stacie L. Pozdol , Elaine E. Coonrod (2006). Follow-up of children with autism spectrum disorders from age 2 to age 9 . Autism, 10(3), 243-265. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/1362361306063296 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2104289742
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  42. Lonnie Zwaigenbaum , Susan Bryson , Tracey Rogers , Wendy Roberts , Jessica Brian , Péter Szatmári (2005). Behavioral manifestations of autism in the first year of life . International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience, 23(2-3), 143-152. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2004.05.001 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2153021534
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  43. Mullen (1995). Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL).
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  44. Lonnie Zwaigenbaum , Susan Bryson , Catherine Lord , Sally J. Rogers , Alice Carter , Leslie Carver et al. (2009). Clinical Assessment and Management of Toddlers With Suspected Autism Spectrum Disorder: Insights From Studies of High-Risk Infants . Pediatrics, 123(5), 1383-1391. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1542/peds.2008-1606 10.17615/mrg5-b045
    OpenCitations
  45. Lord (1999). Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-WPS Edition.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  46. Annelies de Bildt , Sjoerd Sytema , Cees Ketelaars , Dirk Kraijer , Erik Mulder , Fred Volkmar et al. (2004). Interrelationship Between Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Generic (ADOS-G), Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R), and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) Classification in Children and Adolescents with Mental Retardation . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 34(2), 129-137. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1023/b:jadd.0000022604.22374.5f OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2131502071
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  47. Catherine Lord , Susan Risi , Linda Lambrecht , Edwin H. Cook , Bennett L. Leventhal , Pamela C. DiLavore et al. (2000). The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule—Generic: A Standard Measure of Social and Communication Deficits Associated with the Spectrum of Autism . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 30(3), 205-223. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1023/a:1005592401947 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2144446993
    Crossref OpenAlex
  48. Wetherby (2002). Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales-Developmental Profile. First Normed ed.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  49. Werner (2006). Early Development Interview.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  50. Wendy L. Stone , Evon B. Lee , Linda Ashford , Jane Brissie , Susan L. Hepburn , Elaine E. Coonrod et al. (1999). Can autism be diagnosed accurately in children under 3 years? J Child Psychol Psychiatry, 40(2), 219. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1111/1469-7610.00435 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2150562114
    Crossref OpenAlex
  51. Gillian Baird , Tony Charman , Simon Baron-Cohen , Ashleigh Cox , John Swettenham , Sally Wheelwright et al. (2002). A screening instrument for autism at 18 months of age: A six-year follow-up study . In UCL Discovery (University College London).
    Type: Book chapter OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2210032465
    OpenAlex
  52. James Lani (2010). Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL) .
    Type: Article OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2304531680
    OpenAlex
  53. Johs. Clausen , Norman R. Ellis (1969). International Review of Research in Mental Retardation. Vol. 2 . The American Journal of Psychology, 82(1), 139. University of Illinois Press.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.2307/1420619 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3139632016
    OpenAlex
  54. NORMAN R. BERNSTEIN (1979). International Review of Research in Mental Retardation, Vol. 9 . American Journal of Psychiatry, 136(3), 365-a-366. American Psychiatric Association Publishing.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1176/ajp.136.3.365-a OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4234351884
    OpenAlex
  55. Young (2007). Autism Detection in Early Childhood (ADEC) manual (unpublished manual).
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  56. Stone (1997). STAT Manual: Screening Tool for Autism in Two-year-olds (unpublished manuscript).
    Type: Other
    Crossref