Asperger Syndrome and Autism: A Comparative Longitudinal Follow-Up Study More than 5 Years after Original Diagnosis

• Published in: Journal of autism and developmental disorders 2008-01, Vol.38 (1), p.72-85
• Main Authors: Cederlund, Mats, Hagberg, Bibbi, Billstedt, Eva, Gillberg, I. Carina, Gillberg, Christopher
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adjustment (to Environment); Adolescent; Adult; Antisocial Behavior; Asperger Syndrome; Asperger Syndrome - diagnosis; Asperger Syndrome - epidemiology; Asperger's syndrome; Autism; Autistic Disorder; Autistic Disorder - diagnosis; Autistic Disorder - epidemiology; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Biological and medical sciences; Child and School Psychology; Child clinical studies; Clinical Diagnosis; Cognitive Development; Communication Disorders; Communication Disorders - diagnosis; Communication Disorders - epidemiology; Communication Skills; Comparative Analysis; Developmental disorders; Diagnosis; Diagnosis, Differential; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; Differential; Employment Level; Epidemiology; Follow-Up Studies; Followup Studies; Friendship; Humans; Identification; Infantile autism; Intellectual ability; Intelligence Quotient; Language Acquisition; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Males; Medical sciences; Neurosciences; Original Paper; Outcomes; Pediatrics; Peer Relationship; Prospective studies; Psychiatry; Psychology; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Psykiatri; Public Health; Severity of Illness Index; Social Behavior; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0162-3257; 1573-3432
• DOI: 10.1007/s10803-007-0364-6

Prospective follow-up study of 70 males with Asperger syndrome (AS), and 70 males with autism more than 5 years after original diagnosis. Instruments used at follow-up included overall clinical assessment, the Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders, Wechsler Intelligence Scales, Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, and Global Assessment of Functioning Scale. Specific outcome criteria were used. Outcome in AS was good in 27% of cases. However, 26% had a very restricted life, with no occupation/activity and no friends. Outcome in the autism group was significantly worse. Males with AS had worse outcomes than expected given normal to high IQ. However, outcome was considerably better than for the comparison group of individuals with autism.