Previous studies have repeatedly shown verbal intelligence deficits in adolescent antisocialindividuals, but it is not known whether these deficits are in place prior to kindergarten or,alternatively, whether they are acquired throughout childhood. This study assesses whethercognitive deficits occur as early as age 3 years and whether they are specific to persistentlyantisocial individuals. Verbal and spatial abilities were assessed at ages 3 and 11 years in 330 maleand female children, while antisocial behavior was assessed at ages 8 and 17 years. Persistentlyantisocial individuals (N = 47) had spatial deficits in the absence of verbal deficits atage 3 years compared to comparisons (N = 133), and also spatial and verbal deficits atage 11 years. Age 3 spatial deficits were independent of social adversity, early hyperactivity, poortest motivation, poor test comprehension, and social discomfort during testing, and they werefound in females as well as males. Findings suggest that early spatial deficits contribute topersistent antisocial behavior whereas verbal deficits are developmentally acquired. Anearly-starter model is proposed whereby early spatial impairments interfere with early bonding andattachment, reflect disrupted right hemisphere affect regulation and expression, and predispose tolater persistent antisocial behavior.