Predicting young adult outcome among more and less cognitively able individuals with autism spectrum disorders.
BACKGROUND
The range of outcomes for young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and the early childhood factors associated with this diversity have implications for clinicians and scientists.


METHODS
This prospective study provided a unique opportunity to predict outcome 17 years later for a relatively large sample of children diagnosed with ASD at 2 years old. Diagnostic and psychometric instruments were administered between 2 and 19 with data from 2, 3, and 19 included in this study. Clinicians administered tests without knowledge of previous assessments whenever possible. Caregivers provided additional information through questionnaires.


RESULTS
Significant intellectual disabilities at 19 were predicted by age 2 about 85% of the time from VIQ and NVIQ scores together, though prediction of young adult outcome for youths with average or higher intelligence was more complex. By 19, 9% of participants had largely overcome core difficulties associated with ASD and no longer retained a diagnosis. These youths with Very Positive Outcomes were more likely to have participated in treatment and had a greater reduction in repetitive behaviors between age 2 and 3 compared to other Cognitively Able youths (VIQ ≥70) with ASD. Very Positive Outcome youths did not differ phenotypically from Cognitively Able ASD individuals at 2 but both groups differed from Cognitively Less Able individuals (VIQ <70).


CONCLUSION
Those most at risk for intellectual disabilities and ASD can be reliably identified at an early age to receive comprehensive treatment. Findings also suggest that some cognitively able children with ASD who participate in early intervention have very positive outcomes, although replication with randomized, larger samples is needed. In order to improve understanding of very positive outcomes in ASD, future research will need to identify how variations in child characteristics and environmental factors contribute to the nature and timing of growth across individuals and areas of development.
['Anderson|Deborah K|DK|', 'Liang|Jessie W|JW|', 'Lord|Catherine|C|']
D000293:Adolescent D000367:Age Factors D002648:Child D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive D002675:Child, Preschool D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008607:Intellectual Disability D007361:Intelligence Tests D008297:Male D009483:Neuropsychological Tests D011446:Prospective Studies D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales D011594:Psychometrics D055815:Young Adult
adult outcome Autism ASD Very Positive Outcome longitudinal