Stability and Change in the Cognitive and Adaptive Behaviour Scores of Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Overview

Journal J Autism Dev Disord

Publisher Springer

Date 2015 Apr 4

PMID 25835210

Citations 16

Authors

Helen E Flanagan

Isabel M Smith

Tracy Vaillancourt

Eric Duku

Peter Szatmari

Susan Bryson

Eric Fombonne

Pat Mirenda

Wendy Roberts

Joanne Volden

Charlotte Waddell

Lonnie Zwaigenbaum

Teresa Bennett

Mayada Elsabbagh

Stelios Georgiades

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

We examined the stability of cognitive and adaptive behaviour standard scores in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) between diagnosis and school entry approximately age 6. IQ increased 18 points in 2-year-olds, 12 points in 3-year-olds, and 9 points in 4-year-olds (N = 281). Adaptive behaviour scores increased 4 points across age groups (N = 289). At school entry, 24 % of children met criteria for intellectual disability (cognitive and adaptive behaviour scores <70). No children with both scores ≥70 at diagnosis later met criteria for intellectual disability. Outcomes were more variable for children with initial delays in both areas (in 57 %, both scores remained <70). Findings are relevant to clinical decision-making, including specification of intellectual disability in young children with ASD.

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