Follow-up of Children Diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorders: Stability and Change During the Preschool Years

Authors: Jónsdóttir, Sigrídur; Saemundsen, Evald; Ásmundsdóttir, Gudlaug; Hjartardóttir, Sigrún; Ásgeirsdóttir, Bryndís; Smáradóttir, Hrafnhildur; Sigurdardóttir, Solveig; Smári, Jakob

Source: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, Volume 37, Number 7, August 2007 , pp. 1361-1374(14)

Publisher: Springer

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $47.00 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

Forty-one children with pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs) receiving eclectic services were assessed twice during their preschool years. Measures were compared over time for the whole group and for diagnostic subgroups: Childhood autism (CA group) and Other PDDs group. The mean intelligence quotient/developmental quotient (IQ/DQ) of the whole group was stable (P = 0.209) and scores on the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) decreased (P = 0.001). At time 2, the CA group was more impaired than the other PDDs group: autistic symptoms were more severe (P = 0.01), adaptive behavior scores were lower (P = 0.014), and a trend for lower IQ/DQs (P = 0.06). Children in this study seemed to fare better than reported in previous follow-up studies on children with autism.

Keywords: Autism; Pervasive developmental disorders; ICD-10; Preschool; Stability; Change

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10803-006-0282-z

Affiliations: 1: Email: sigridurloa@greining.is

Publication date: 2007-08-01