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Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Published on: April 22, 2015
Trajectories of Symptom Severity in Children with Autism: Variability and Turning Points through the Transition to
Stelios Georgiades1, Peter A Tait2, Paul D McNicholas2
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. W. - MIP Suite 201A, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada. georgis@mcmaster.ca.
Abstract:
This study examined the trajectories of autistic symptom severity in an inception cohort of 187 children with ASD assessed across four time points from diagnosis to age 10. Trajectory groups were derived using multivariate cluster analysis. A two trajectory/cluster solution was selected. Change in trajectory slopes revealed a turning point marked by plateauing in symptom reduction during the period of transition to school (age 6) for one of the two trajectories. Trajectories were labelled: Continuously Improving (27%) and Improving then Plateauing (73% of sample). Children in the two trajectories differed in levels of symptom severity, language, cognitive, and adaptive functioning skills. Study findings can inform the development of more personalized services for children with ASD transitioning into the school system.
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