vements. For instance, normal babies use a corkscrew motion to go from back to stomach or vice versa. However, autistic babies either didnt learn to roll over or did in a peculiar fashion. They would roll to their stomach or back by raising their head or pelvis and then throw the upper legs forward and topple over, moving all body segments together. Unlike healthy babies, autistic babies would lose balance easily from a sitting position and would fail to break their falls with their hands. Also during the testing Dr. Teitelbaum discovered that autistic babies showed an asymmetrical lack of support in the arms or legs and when they crawled supported themselves on their forearms rather than on their hands. One baby crawled by scooting his left knee on the floor but used his right foot to push himself forward.What Dr. Teitelbaum and his colleagues found is the beginning of what has long been a goal of autism researchers, early diagnosis. From this beginning, others will be able to expand testing to encompass more specific areas of autistic development at an early age. However, until this is done, tests have been conducted to help screen toddlers who are potentially autistic.The CHAT (Checklist for Autism in Toddlers) is performed by general practitioners or health visitors during the 18 month developmental check-up. It consists of 2 sections: one for the parent and one for the toddler. Section A consists of a number of questions asked by the administrator to the parent such as the following:1. Does your child enjoy being swung, bounced on your knee, etc.?2. Does your child take an interest in other children?3. Does your child ever use their index finger to point, to indicate interest in something?Section B consists of a number of questions in observations asked by the administrator to the toddler such as the following:1. Get the childs attention, then point across the room at an interesting object and say, "Oh look! Theres a...
