Predictors of Optimal Outcome in Toddlers Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders

• Published in: Journal of autism and developmental disorders Vol. 37; no. 1; pp. 98 - 107
• Main Authors: Sutera, Saasha, Pandey, Juhi, Esser, Emma L, Rosenthal, Michael A, Wilson, Leandra B, Barton, Marianne, Green, James, Hodgson, Sarah, Robins, Diana L, Dumont-Mathieu, Thyde, Fein, Deborah
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Springer 01.01.2007; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Activities of Daily Living; Age Factors; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Autism; Autism Spectrum Disorders; Autistic Disorder - diagnosis; Autistic Disorder - therapy; Autistic spectrum disorders; Behavior Patterns; Child, Preschool; Clinical Diagnosis; Cognitive Ability; Communication Disorders - diagnosis; Communication Disorders - epidemiology; Convalescence; Developmental Delays; Diagnosis; Direct Instruction; Early Diagnosis; Elementary Education; Elementary Schools; Female; Humans; Identification; Imitation; Infant; Intelligence Quotient; Interpersonal Competence; Interpersonal Relationship; Language Acquisition; Learning Processes; Male; Measures (Individuals); Medical Evaluation; Motor skills; Motor Skills Disorders - diagnosis; Motor Skills Disorders - epidemiology; Nonverbal Communication; Parents; Predictive Value of Tests; Predictor Variables; Psychological Patterns; Receptive Language; Recovery; Resistance (Psychology); Severity of Illness Index; Skill Development; Socialization; Surveys and Questionnaires; Symptoms (Individual Disorders); Toddlers; Young Children
• ISSN: 0162-3257; 1573-3432
• DOI: 10.1007/s10803-006-0340-6

A diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is usually taken to be permanent. In this study, 13 two-year-old children with ASD lost the diagnosis by age 4, at which time they scored within the normal range on standardized measures of cognitive and adaptive functioning. No differences were found in symptom severity, socialization, or communication between children who lost the ASD diagnosis and children who did not, but children with PDD-NOS were significantly more likely than those with full autistic disorder to move off the spectrum. The clearest distinguishing factor was motor skills at age 2. Results support the idea that some toddlers with ASD can lose their diagnosis and suggest that this is difficult to predict.