Those with an early diagnosis were significantly less likely than those diagnosed later to be responsive to or initiate nonverbal communication. They also had a significantly smaller repertoire of communication and play behaviors.

The findings between the early-diagnosis group and late-diagnosis group, respectively, at 14 months were:

  • Less frequent shared positive affect (mean score 1.60 versus 3.62, P=0.002).
  • Less frequent initiation of behavior regulatory bids (mean score 4.07 versus 10.00, P=0.001).
  • Less frequent initiation of joint attention bids (mean score 0.60 versus 5.08, P=0.009).
  • Smaller inventory of gestures (mean score 1.60 versus 3.62, P=0.001)
  • Smaller inventory of consonants (mean score 0.47 versus 2.23, P=0.001).
  • A trend toward a smaller inventory of play behaviors (mean action schema inventory score 3.20 versus 5.15, P=0.03).

By 24 months, the two autism groups were similar in behavior and communication, representing a decline in scores for the late-diagnosis group and some small gains for the early diagnosis group at a time when the control group was making great gains.

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