Developmental and Psychiatric Conditions Among 5-7 Year Old Children with Non-persistent and Persistent Autism

To describe the types and frequency of developmental and psychiatric conditions (DPCs) in early school-age children who were diagnosed with ASD as toddlers and to compare rates of DPCs in children whose ASD persists ("persistent ASD") versus those in whom it does not ("non-persistent ASD"). Children with a clinical ASD diagnosis at 12-36 months old underwent a research assessment at 5-7 years old. Research assessments included measures of ASD symptoms and cognitive and adaptive functioning. A research psychologist assigned an ASD diagnosis (yes or no) based on the child's current functioning. Information about DPCs was obtained from parent and/or research psychologist report. Intellectual disability was defined as cognitive standard score < 70. Of the 213 children diagnosed with ASD at initial clinical assessment, at the research assessment 134 (62.6%) had persistent ASD and 79 (37%) had non-persistent ASD. Overall, the most common DPCs were ADHD (n = 58; 27.2%); speech disorder (n = 46; 21.6%); and intellectual disability (n = 46; 21.6%). Of children with non-persistent ASD, 29.1% had ≥ 1 DPC, and 19% had ADHD. Children with persistent ASD were over 5 times more likely (OR = 5.72) to have an additional DPC, compared to those with non-persistent ASD. Children with non-persistent ASD may manifest several different DPCs, with an increased rate of ADHD compared to population norms. Children with persistent ASD have higher rates of DPCs than those with non-persistent ASD. Follow-up care for children diagnosed with ASD at a young age should include assessment for other DPCs.