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Predictors and correlates of adaptive functioning in children with developmental disorders
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|July 14, 2001
Summary
Children with autism show significant adaptive functioning deficits, particularly in socialization and daily living skills. These impairments are more pronounced in high-functioning autism (HFA) and linked to specific cognitive and language challenges.
Area of Science:
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Developmental Psychology
- Behavioral Neuroscience
Background:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disorder characterized by social, communication, and behavioral impairments.
- Children with ASD often exhibit adaptive functioning deficits that are more severe than their cognitive impairments.
- Understanding the predictors of adaptive functioning is crucial for targeted interventions in ASD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlates and predictors of adaptive functioning in high-functioning autism (HFA) and low-functioning autism (LFA) groups.
- To compare adaptive functioning, IQ, autistic symptomology, and language/memory skills between ASD groups and matched controls.
- To identify factors influencing adaptive behavior across different functioning levels within the autism spectrum.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of 35 HFA children with 31 age-matched developmental language disorder (DLD) controls.
- Comparison of 40 LFA children with 17 age-matched low IQ controls.
- Assessment using Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, IQ tests, autistic symptomology measures, and language/verbal memory tests.
Main Results:
- Both HFA and LFA groups showed significant impairments in Socialization and Daily Living compared to controls, with HFA deficits being more pronounced.
- Adaptive behavior strongly correlated with autistic symptomology exclusively in the HFA group.
- IQ predicted adaptive behavior in low-functioning groups, while language and verbal memory predicted it in higher-functioning groups.
Conclusions:
- IQ may be a limiting factor for adaptive functioning in lower-functioning children with autism.
- Higher-functioning children with autism are impacted by specific deficits, including autistic symptomology, and impaired language and verbal memory.
- Intervention strategies for adaptive functioning should consider the distinct profiles of HFA and LFA.