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Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Published on: April 22, 2015
[Early detection and stability of diagnosis in autism spectrum disorders]
R Canal-Bedia1, M Magan-Maganto1, A Bejarano-Martin2
1Universidad de Salamanca, 37005 Salamanca, Espana.
Insights
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis is generally stable over time. Clinical judgment and multidisciplinary teams can further improve diagnostic stability in children with ASD.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Background:
- Early detection of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is crucial for timely intervention.
- While ASD diagnosis is generally stable, factors influencing this stability require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic stability of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in young children.
- To identify factors contributing to the stability of ASD diagnoses over time.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study of 142 children diagnosed with ASD (median age 33 months at baseline).
- Utilized various developmental and diagnostic assessments, including the Merrill-Palmer Scale-R, ADOS-G, and DSM-IV-R/DSM-5 criteria.
- Employed contingency tables and repeated measures ANOVA to analyze diagnostic stability and cognitive/adaptive functioning.
Main Results:
- Clinical diagnosis of ASD remained stable in 96% of cases.
- Diagnostic stability based on ADOS-G results was 87%.
- Significant differences were observed in within-subject factors and social age, but not diagnosis, via ANOVA.
Conclusions:
- The diagnostic stability of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is high.
- Clinical judgment and a multidisciplinary team approach enhance diagnostic stability.
Introduction:
Early intervention for children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) depends on early and reliable detection. In general, diagnosis is stable, but evidence shows the need to go deeper into the factors that influence this stability.
Patients And Methods:
A sample of 142 children with ASD (118 boys and 24 girls) with a median of 33 months of age and an interquartile range of 12 in the first evaluation. In the follow-up the median was 47 months and an interquartile range of 29. The following tests were applied to evaluate the children: Merrill-Palmer Scale-R, Leitter-R, WIPPSI-III, WISC-R and WISC-IV; as well as Vineland Scale and ADOS-G, based on clinical diagnosis to DSM-IV-R and DSM-5. For the evaluation of the diagnostic stability, contingency tables were performed for diagnostic assessments based on clinical judgment and the results of the ADOS-G. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze the differences between measures of cognitive functioning, adaptive behavior and diagnosis.
Results:
The clinical diagnosis based on DSM-IV-TR, DSM-5 and clinical judgment remains stable over time in 96% of cases. If the diagnostic stability is measured based on the results of ADOS-G (n = 30), 87% of cases diagnosed maintained the diagnosis. The ANOVA showed statistically significant differences for measures of within-subject factors and global social age, but not for diagnosis.
Conclusion:
The diagnostic stability can be improved by utilizing clinical judgment and the participation of a multidisciplinary team.
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