The new assessment tool has been designed to identify developmental and behavioural issues associated with autism in children less than 12 months old.

At present, autism is rarely diagnosed before a child is 18 months old.

"If we are able to detect signs of autism within the first year of life, parents will be able to immediately implement an early intervention plan, which has already been shown to significantly improve the prognosis of children with autism," said psychology PhD student and researcher Danielle Robson.

Ms Robson said the assessment tool included a questionnaire for parents, along with a structured play session to score the children on their responses to a number of specific tasks.

"During each session I assess a range of behaviours, including those that previous retrospective research has suggested are impaired in infants who later develop autism, such as eye contact, social and joint attention, sensory motor behaviours and temperament," she said.

"I also assess overall development, parental concern and closely monitor the infant's behaviour."

A group of 40 children, including 25 considered at risk because they had older siblings with autism, were taking part in the study at Flinders.

The study included an evaluation when they were as young as two weeks old, and assessments every two months during the next 18 months.

Follow-up reviews would also be performed at 24 and 36 months.

"So far I have identified at least six babies who are displaying behaviours or patterns of development that are of concern and may be indicative of autism," Ms Robson said.

"All of these infants are under 12 months of age, which is far younger than the current detection age of between 18 months to three years.

"This is very promising and suggests that autism may be able to be detected during infancy - much earlier than is currently occurring."