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Regression and word loss in autistic spectrum disorders
Catherine Lord1, Cory Shulman, Pamela DiLavore
1University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109-2054, USA. celord@umich.edu
Summary
A specific pattern of word loss in early childhood, unique to some children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD), may serve as an early indicator for the condition.
Area of Science:
- Developmental psychology
- Pediatric neurology
- Speech-language pathology
Background:
- Parent reports describe a minority of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) acquiring and then losing communication skills in their second year.
- This phenomenon involves the loss of meaningful words or less specific vocalizations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the phenomenon of word loss in early development.
- To determine if word loss is associated with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study followed 110 children referred for autism assessment, including developmentally delayed and typically developing controls.
- Diagnostic and cognitive assessments were administered at multiple time points.
Main Results:
- Meaningful word loss, followed by complete word loss and social changes, was unique to children later diagnosed with ASD.
- Loss of nonword vocalizations correlated with cognitive delay, irrespective of autism diagnosis.
Conclusions:
- Word loss is an identifiable early childhood phenomenon, potentially unique to Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
- This pattern of word loss in the second year of life may be a significant early red flag for ASD in a minority of cases.