Variation in the Early Trajectories of Autism Symptoms Is Related to the Development of Language, Cognition, and Behavior Problems - 26/07/17
Abstract |
Objective |
The objectives of this study were to model more homogeneous subgroups within autism spectrum disorder (ASD) based on early trajectories of core symptoms; and to further characterize these subgroups in terms of trajectories of language, cognition, co-occurring (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD]–related) traits and clinical outcome diagnosis.
Method |
Children (N = 203) referred for possible ASD at ages 1 to 4 years were assessed at three time points at intervals ranging from 9 months to 3 years. Assessments included standardized measures for ASD (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule [ADOS]), language (ADOS-language item), nonverbal IQ (NV-IQ; different tests adequate to chronological/mental age), and parent-reported behavioral problems (Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment, Child Behavior Checklist).
Results |
Latent-class growth curve analysis with ADOS total scores led to the identification of three main stable and two small improving groups: a severe–stable group (19.5% of sample)—the only group without considerable language improvement—showed persistent low NV-IQ and marked increase in attention problems over time; a moderate–stable group (21.7%) with below-average increasing NV-IQ; and a mild–stable group (48%) with stable–average NV-IQ and the highest scores on ADHD-related traits, whose ASD outcome diagnoses increased despite stable–low ASD scores. Two groups (each 5.4%) improved: one moved from severe to moderate ASD scores, and the other moved from moderate to mild/nonspectrum scores. Both of these groups improved on language, NV-IQ, and ADHD-related traits.
Conclusion |
Results support the high stability of ASD symptoms into various severity levels, but also highlight the significant contribution of non-ASD domains in defining and explaining the different ASD trajectories.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Key words : autism spectrum disorder, latent-class trajectory, longitudinal, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, attention
Plan
This article is discussed in an editorial by Dr. Peter Szatmari on page 636. |
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Clinical guidance is available at the end of this article. |
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This study was supported by a grant from the Korczak Foundation. Dr. Buitelaar’s work for the current paper is supported by the European Community’s Seventh Framework Program (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement number 278948 (TACTICS), and the Innovative Medicines Initiative Joint Undertaking under grant agreement number 115300 (EU-AIMS), resources of which are composed of financial contribution from the European Union's Seventh Framework Program (FP7/2007 – 2013) and the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) companies' in kind contribution; and also from the European Community’s Horizon 2020 Program (H2020/2014 – 2020) under grant agreements number 643051 (MiND) and number 642996 (BRAINVIEW). In addition, he is supported by a grant for the ENIGMA Consortium (grant number U54 EB020403) from the BD2K Initiative of NIH. |
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Dr. Lappenschaar served as the statistical expert for this research. |
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Disclosure: Dr. Buitelaar has been a consultant to/member of the advisory board of/and/or speaker for Janssen Cilag BV, Medice, Novartis, and Servier. He is neither an employee nor a stock shareholder of any of these companies. Drs. Visser, Rommelse, Lappenschaar, Servatius-Oosterling, and Greven report no biomedical financial interests or potential conflicts of interest. |
Vol 56 - N° 8
P. 659-668 - août 2017 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
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