This study examines indicators and factors for identification of ASD(Autism
Spectrum Disorder) characteristics of infants and toddlers and early screening of
children with ASD by day care teachers. Focus group interviews were conducted
with 11 teachers by a semi-structured questionnaire developed by the authors. The
findings are: 1) key problems and indicators of behavioral characteristics of
children with ASD included problems with social communication and interactions,
restricted and unusual interests, outstanding ability in specific areas, insistence on
sameness and ritualized patterns, problems with language development and
communication, sensory abnormalities; 2) counseling with parents of children with
ASD revealed a lack of recognition of parents, negative expressions of emotions
and resistance, and difficulties in referral to and association with experts; 3) needs
for ASD in the child care field included visiting by experts, provision of test
scales, training of child care teachers and parents, and building cooperative
systems; and 4) demands of development and execution of a Korean-style scale
for early screening of children with ASD.