What happens to children with PDD when they grow up? Prospective follow-up of 219 children from preschool age to mid-childhood

• Published in: Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica 2007-05, Vol.115 (5), p.403-412
• Main Authors: Baghdadli, A, Picot, M-C, Michelon, C, Bodet, J, Pernon, E, Burstezjn, C, Hochmann, J, Lazartigues, A, Pry, R, Aussilloux, C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Autism; Autistic Disorder - diagnosis; Autistic Disorder - psychology; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Child clinical studies; Child development; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive - diagnosis; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive - psychology; Child, Preschool; Cohort Studies; Developmental disabilities; Developmental disorders; Female; follow-up; Follow-Up Studies; Humanities and Social Sciences; Humans; Infantile autism; Intelligence; Language Development Disorders - diagnosis; Language Development Disorders - psychology; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Medical sciences; outcome; pervasive developmental disorder; Preschool children; Prognosis; Psychiatry; Psychology; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Variables
• ISSN: 0001-690X; 1600-0447; 0065-1591
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2006.00898.x

Objective:  To describe the psychological development of children with pervasive developmental disorders over a period of 3 years and to identify the factors linked to their developmental paths. Method:  The study was a collaborative and prospective follow‐up study of 219 preschoolers. Retrospective data and enrollment data were collected at the beginning of the study and 3 years later. Results:  We observed high variability in the short‐term outcomes of preschoolers. In line with previous research, our results showed that intellectual, linguistic and adaptive functioning were useful for predicting outcome. The severity of a child's autistic symptoms appears to be related to his or her future development. These variables can therefore be used as predictors of outcome for preschoolers with autism. Conclusion:  Developmental and symptom changes in young children with autism should not be overlooked and need to be assessed regularly in view of choosing suitable servicing programs.