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Differences in adaptive functioning among people with autism or mental retardation.
1State of New York Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, Planning Unit, Albany 12229-1000.
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|June 1, 1990
Summary
Children with autism show more developed motor and instrumental activities of daily living skills (MADLs and IADLs) than those with mental retardation in early childhood. However, these differences decrease with age.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Background:
- Autism and mental retardation are neurodevelopmental conditions impacting daily living skills.
- Understanding skill trajectories is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare motor and instrumental activities of daily living skills (MADLs and IADLs) between individuals with autism and mental retardation.
- To examine age- and intellectual-level-related differences in these skill domains.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of adaptive behavior data from 1,442 individuals with autism and 24,048 individuals with mental retardation.
- Group comparisons based on age (5-12, 13-21, 21-35 years) and intellectual level.
- Confirmation of diagnoses through behavioral analyses.
Main Results:
- Children aged 5-12 with autism demonstrated more developed MADLs and IADLs than age- and intellectually matched peers with mental retardation.
- Skill differences diminished in older age groups (13-21 years).
- Individuals with mental retardation exhibited more developed instrumental skills in the 21-35 year age group.
Conclusions:
- Early childhood skill development in autism may surpass that of mental retardation.
- Developmental trajectories diverge, with individuals with mental retardation showing potential for greater instrumental skill development in adulthood.