Process of speech acquisition and development of autistic children with or without autistic regression

To compare the trajectory of acquisition speech and development of autistic children with or without autistic regression.

The sample consisted of 64 children, aged 3-10 years, of both genders, diagnosed by a multidisciplinary team with autism. In the analysis were investigated during the interview: mention whether or not the episode regression speech reported by parents; number of words produced in a minimum period of three months prior to detection of regression; mention whether or not the episode regression social behaviors concomitant arrest in speech, verbal and production at three years of age. We adopted a significance level of 5% for statistical analysis.

Thirty one percent of children had speech regression. These, 100% showed regression of social behaviors. Mean words produced before the detection regression were five. The groups did not show difference on the period of acquisition and development of speech.

It was possible to compare the trajectory speech development of children with or without regression. And we did not find that the children affected by autistic regression period show more positive clinical outcome in relation to the production of speech.