Follow-up of children diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorders: stability and change during the preschool years

J Autism Dev Disord. 2007 Aug;37(7):1361-74. doi: 10.1007/s10803-006-0282-z. Epub 2006 Dec 5.

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / diagnosis*
  • Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / epidemiology*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cognition Disorders / diagnosis
  • Cognition Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • International Classification of Diseases
  • Language Disorders / diagnosis
  • Language Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Male
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Severity of Illness Index