AUTISTIC BEHAVIORS IN OFFSPRING OF MOTHERS ABUSING ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS - A SERIES OF CASE-REPORTS

Although autistic-like behaviors were described even in the earliest r eports of fetal alcohol syndrome, it was only recently that fetal alco hol syndrome and autism were reported as a dual diagnosis in six schoo l-aged children. The purpose of the present series of case reports is to describe marked autistic characteristics in three much younger chil dren (25-36 months) with histories of prenatal exposure to alcohol and other drugs. The behavioral characteristics of these children are des cribed and compared with current diagnostic criteria for autistic diso rder. In addition, longitudinal scores on the Bayley Scales of Infant Development are provided to underscore the marked developmental delays shown by each of the children. Limitations of these case reports are discussed with suggestions for future prospective research.