ABSTRACT
This chapter will extend the discussion of symbolism beyond the acquisition of language to other aspects of early childhood. Symbolic play makes its appearance early in the second year of life and undergoes well-described developmental changes. The literature on chil dren's drawing also presents fascinating evidence on the relation between symbolism and depiction. Finally, the case of childhood autism will be discussed, which reveals a dissociation between aspects of visual-spatial experience and the social and emotional foundations of symbolic repre sentation.
