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Early detection and treatment have been shown to be effective in reducing disability severity caused by Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). As Spanish pediatricians have no detection tool, the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) was first translated into and culturally adapted to Spanish. Validity and reliability studies were carried out in two different geographical areas of Spain, where M-CHAT was administered to two different samples, namely: 2,480 high- and low-risk children; and 2,055 low-risk children. The results obtained were similar to those yielded by the original M-CHAT studies. Differences were found in positive predictive value, due to the low ASD frequency observed in this study. M-CHAT is still being studied in a large population-based screening program in Spain.

All the papers on autism published in journals by Spanish authors until 2007 were reviewed in order to identify changes and trends in studies, journals and authorship networks. A total of 567 works were analyzed. Results showed a continuous increase in the total number of publications and collaborative works (especially from 1999 onwards), as well as coincidence of the general framework of papers with the guidelines for research and treatment on autism that were published in the Anglo-Saxon arena for the same period. Some weak points were also identified, such as the low proportion of empirical and funded studies, low impact of the journals, and low author continuity, which have also been noted for other domains of research in Spain. We conclude that psychological and biomedical research on autism is currently a growing field in our country. However, important changes are needed, both in the way the authors conduct and communicate their studies, and in the commitment of some institutions (specially, universities and parent advocacy groups). Lastly, some proposals are suggested to improve the scientific quality of future studies and their usefulness for people with autism.

[ES] El autismo es un trastorno grave del desarrollo de origen prenatal, que afecta a la persona durante toda su vida. Durante la pasada década numerosas investigaciones han aportado información y experiencia sobre las posibilidades de los sistemas asistenciales para detectar precozmente el autismo. Este movimiento hacia la identificación de signos de sospecha ha llevado a un reconocimiento de que hoy es posible detectar antes los casos, lo que está mejorando el pronóstico del autismo. En el artículo se revisan las ventajas de la detección precoz y la atención temprana, se exponen los signos precoces del autismo y se analizan los instrumentos de mayor interés para la detección precoz en nuestro entorno. El artículo finaliza con una exposición breve sobre el estado actual del progra-ma de cribado en Castilla y León, concluyéndose que la coordinación interprofesional, la sensibilización y la implicación social son aspectos clave para avanzar en la detección precoz del autismo en nuestro país. [EN] Autism is a serious disorder of child growth, stemming from the pre-natal stage and enduring the whole life. During the past decade a lot of studies have provided information about how to detect autism at an early stage. There is a growing acknowledgment that today’s early detection improves autism prognosis. This paper reviews the advantages of early detection and assistance; outlines early autism signs and describes early detection tools. Finally, the paper addresses the screening schedule undertaken in Castille and Leon, concluding that coordination between professionals and social sensitization and involvement are among the key aspects to improve autism detection in our country. Sí