The book examines the early stages and patterns of normal emotional development. The most significant signs of affective distress for early diagnosis are described, and their combinations characteristic of distorted emotional development are highlighted. The logic of the formation of different variants of early childhood autism is traced, and the problems specific to them are identified. It offers methods of psychological correction work with children with autism that are adequate for an early age. The book is addressed primarily to parents raising children with special needs of emotional development. It can also be useful to specialists (psychologists, teachers, doctors) working with young children, as well as students of psychological and defectology departments of universities.