Predicting Improvement in Social-Communication Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders Using Retrospective Treatment Data

Elsevier. 6277 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, FL 32887-4800. Tel: 877-839-7126; Tel: 407-345-4020; Fax: 407-363-1354; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: http://www.elsevier.com

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11

Autism; Intelligence Quotient; Severity (of Disability); Therapy; Pervasive Developmental Disorders; Children; Adolescents; Interpersonal Communication; Symptoms (Individual Disorders); Predictor Variables; Outcomes of Treatment; Occupational Therapy; Speech Language Pathology; Behavior Modification; Age Differences; Data Analysis

10.1016/j.rasd.2011.07.014

1750-9467

Data from 1433 children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) participating in the Simons Simplex Collection were examined to (1) investigate change in social-communication symptoms, and (2) examine predictors of improvement, particularly community-based treatments. Measures included the "Autism Diagnostic Interview--Revised" ("ADI-R"), IQ, demographics, and parent-reported treatment history (occupational, speech, and behavioral therapy). Baseline (age 4-5) and current social-communication symptom severity scores were calculated using 15 "ADI-R" items. The majority (95.4%) demonstrated improvement (between age 4-5 and current), 2.2% had no change, and 2.4% worsened. Controlling for age and initial severity, those who had received therapy had the best outcomes, greater therapy intensity predicted improvement, and the response to therapy was greatest among those with higher nonverbal IQ. (Contains 7 tables and 1 figure.)

As Provided

2011

EJ947669