Longitudinal examination of the behavioral, language, and social changes in a population of adolescents and young adults with autistic disorder

• Published in: Pediatric neurology Vol. 15; no. 3; pp. 217 - 223
• Main Authors: Ballaban-Gil, Karen, Rapin, Isabelle, Tuchman, Roberto, Shinnar, Shlomo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.10.1996; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Autistic Disorder - complications; Autistic Disorder - mortality; Autistic Disorder - psychology; Autistic Disorder - rehabilitation; Behavior; Biological and medical sciences; Cause of Death; Child; Developmental Disabilities - complications; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Intellectual Disability - complications; Intelligence; Language Development; Male; Medical sciences; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Psychoses; Rehabilitation, Vocational; Schizophrenia; Social Adjustment; Stereotyped Behavior; Human; Psychosis; Autism; Social status; Follow up study; Adolescent; Young adult; Evolution; Developmental disorder; Comprehension; Language disorder; Behavioral disorder
• ISSN: 0887-8994; 1873-5150
• DOI: 10.1016/S0887-8994(96)00219-6

This follow-up study evaluates the behavioral, language, and social outcomes in a population of autistic patients initially examined in childhood. We evaluated 102 (63%) of the 163 eligible subjects, including 54 adolescents (12–17 years of age) and 45 adults (≥18 years of age). Three patients had died in the interim. Behavior difficulties continued to be a problem in 69% of adolescents and adults. Thirty-five percent of adolescents and 49% of adults engaged in self-injurious behavior, and slightly more than 50% of adolescents and adults exhibited some stereotypic behaviors. Over 90% of both adolescents and adults had persisting social deficits. Language improved with age, although only 35% achieved normal or near-normal fluency. Comprehension also improved, although only 29% of subjects had achieved normal or near-normal comprehension of oral language. At the time of last follow-up, 28% of all patients and 53% of adults were living in residential placement. Only 11% of adults were employed on the open market, all in menial jobs; an additional 16% were employed in sheltered workshops. The social, behavioral, and language deficits identified in early life in autistic children tend to persist into adolescence and young adulthood.