[An analysis of the developmental trajectory of children with autism spectrum disorders]

To investigate the factors that affect the developmental trajectory in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) by means of a questionnaire-based retrospective analysis.

This study included 292 consecutive Japanese children with ASD who visited the pediatric developmental clinic at the Osaka University Hospital. Questionnaires were completed by caregivers on their first visit and were used for obtaining demographic information as well as nurturing environment and history of supportive intervention. Caregivers also fulfilled out The Infant Behavior Checklist (revised, in Japanese), and The Children's Behavior Questionnaire (revised, in Japanese). The scores for autistic traits during infancy and at present were compared in order to evaluate the developmental trajectory.

Early intervention may attenuate ASD symptoms, whereas unfavorable domestic conditions, any psychiatric or neurological disorder in a family member, and epilepsy as a co-morbidity may aggravate these symptoms. In addition, impaired social interaction among all other ASD symptoms was specifically improved by early intervention, even if such intervention was not tailored to ASD.

Early intervention and family support are important for children with ASD to promote their social development.