Change in Autism Symptoms and Maladaptive Behaviors in Adolescents and Adults with an Autism Spectrum Disorder

This study examined change prospectively in autism symptoms and maladaptive behaviors during a 4.5 year period in 241 adolescents and adults with an autism spectrum disorder who were 10-52 years old (mean=22.0) when the study began. Although many individuals' symptoms remained stable, a greater...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of autism and developmental disorders 2007-10, Vol.37 (9), p.1735-1747
Main Authors: Shattuck, Paul T, Seltzer, Marsha Mailick, Greenberg, Jan S, Orsmond, Gael I, Bolt, Daniel, Kring, Sheilah, Lounds, Julie, Lord, Catherine
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Psychological
Adolescent
Adolescents
Adult
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Adults
Age Differences
Age Factors
Asperger Syndrome - diagnosis
Asperger Syndrome - psychology
Autism
Autistic Disorder - diagnosis
Autistic Disorder - psychology
Autistic people
Autistic spectrum disorders
Behavior Change
Behavior Problems
Biological and medical sciences
Child
Child clinical studies
Developmental disorders
Female
Humans
Infantile autism
Language Aptitude
Language Disorders - diagnosis
Language Disorders - epidemiology
Life span
Longitudinal Studies
Maladaptive behaviour
Male
Medical sciences
Mental Retardation
Middle Aged
Miscellaneous
Pervasive Developmental Disorders
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Severity of Illness Index
Symptoms
Symptoms (Individual Disorders)
Time Factors
Young Children
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Description
Summary:This study examined change prospectively in autism symptoms and maladaptive behaviors during a 4.5 year period in 241 adolescents and adults with an autism spectrum disorder who were 10-52 years old (mean=22.0) when the study began. Although many individuals' symptoms remained stable, a greater proportion of the sample experienced declines than increases in their level of autism symptoms and maladaptive behaviors and there were significant improvements in mean levels of symptoms. Individuals with mental retardation had more autism symptoms and maladaptive behaviors than those without mental retardation, and they improved less over time. Compared to adolescents, older sample members (31 and older) had fewer maladaptive behaviors and experienced more improvement in these behaviors over time.
ISSN:0162-3257
1573-3432
DOI:10.1007/s10803-006-0307-7