This paper will discuss autism in early and preschool age. Through a historical review, a definition of autism is given and various causes that may influence it's onset are explained, although the onset of autism is still not fully clear. The paper explains the characteristic features of autism with regard to speech, behavior, psychomotor skills, emotions and fear, intelligence, aggression and self-aggression, and describes some special abilities and talents of autistic children. Play is described in particular because it is considered one of the most important activities of a child for it's development, and the play of an autistic child is significantly different from the play of other children. There will be talks about making an autistic diagnosis for a child and how autism can be noticed in a child, meaning that symptoms from the earliest childhood are described. Some of the approaches to the treatment and rehabilitation of autism are also explained, but it is important to emphasize that autism is an incurable disorder, the therapy only allows the child to function better in the environment in his future. The transition from kindergarten to school and how to prepare the child for this big step have been described as a large part of a child's life. Finally, autism in Croatia was mentioned and the extent to which Croatia is aware of autistic disorder.