ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Risk criteria for the Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (CHAT) and modified risk criteria (i.e. the Denver Criteria) were compared in a group of children with fragile X syndrome (FXS) and autism. METHOD: Participants were 17 children aged 2-4 years with DNA confirmation of FXS. Four children had autism and 13 children did not. RESULTS: Preliminary findings regarding the sensitivity and specificity of the CHAT for detecting risk for autism in children with FXS are as follows: using the original CHAT risk criteria, sensitivity and specificity were 50% and 100%, respectively; and using the Denver Criteria, sensitivity and specificity were 75% and 92%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The CHAT and the Denver Criteria resulted in preliminary findings suggesting high levels of sensitivity to autism in children with FXS.
Subject(s)
Autistic Disorder/complications , Autistic Disorder/diagnosis , Fragile X Syndrome/complications , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Predictive Value of Tests , Risk Assessment/methods , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
The Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales were used to investigate patterns of adaptive behavior in children with autism who were under 36 months of age. Subjects were 30 children with autism and 30 children with developmental delay matched on CA and MA. Relative to controls, the autistic group demonstrated weaker socialization and communication skills and greater discrepancies between adaptive behavior and MA. Different patterns of relations between adaptive behavior domains and cognitive and language skills were obtained for the two groups. Preliminary support for the utility of adaptive behavior profiles in identifying subgroups of children with autism is provided. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for early diagnosis of autism.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological , Autistic Disorder/psychology , Developmental Disabilities/psychology , Social Adjustment , Analysis of Variance , Child, Preschool , Cluster Analysis , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Predictive Value of Tests , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales/standardsABSTRACT
This study investigated the reliability and stability of an autism diagnosis in children under 3 years of age who received independent diagnostic evaluations from two clinicians during two consecutive yearly evaluations. Strong evidence for the reliability and stability of the diagnosis was obtained. Diagnostic agreement between clinicians was higher for the broader discrimination of autism spectrum vs. no autism spectrum than for the more specific discrimination of autism vs. PDD-NOS. The diagnosis of autism at age 2 was more stable than the diagnosis of PDD-NOS at the same age. Social deficits and delays in spoken language were the most prominent DSM-IV characteristics evidenced by very young children with autism.
Subject(s)
Autistic Disorder/diagnosis , Child Psychiatry/standards , Manuals as Topic/standards , Age Factors , Autistic Disorder/classification , Behavioral Symptoms/diagnosis , Child Development Disorders, Pervasive/diagnosis , Child, Preschool , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Observer Variation , Reproducibility of Results , Severity of Illness Index , Social Behavior Disorders/diagnosisABSTRACT
The forms, functions, and complexity of nonverbal communication used by very young children with autism were investigated. Fourteen children with autism were matched to 14 children with developmental delays and/or language impairments on the basis of CA, MA, and expressive vocabulary. Subjects participated in a structured communication assessment consisting of 16 situations designed to elicit requesting or commenting behavior. Children with autism requested more often and commented less often than controls. Autistic children were less likely to point, show objects, or use eye gaze to communicate, but were more likely to directly manipulate the examiner's hand. The autistic group also used less complex combinations of behaviors to communicate. Implications for early identification and intervention are discussed.
