Case Lab · Type A · Foundational

F84

A pattern since infancy — not a question of parenting

An autistic 3-year-old boy does not respond consistently to his name, shows limited eye contact and shared enjoyment with his parents, has no functional spoken language, and repeatedly lines up his toy cars in the same order, becoming distressed if the order is changed. This pattern has been present since infancy. His parents are both quiet and reserved by temperament, and a visiting relative remarks that if they were "warmer" with him, he would probably be talking by now.