Predictors of functional ability in autism spectrum disorder: A scoping review

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of diverse neurodevelopmental conditions characterized by deficits in social communication and interaction, as well as confined and repetitive patterns of behaviors, interests, or activities. Currently, there are no standardized techniques for predicting functional ability in children with ASD, which can lead to undetected clinical impairments and delayed targeted treatments. To address this issue, a scoping review was conducted following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses criteria. Twelve articles met the inclusion criteria for this review. This study summarized the potential tools and parameters that may benefit in predicting abilities used in the daily lives of children with ASD. The collected tools varied widely, including clinical questionnaires, physical symptoms, laboratory tests, and imaging studies. These tools provided descriptions of various functional abilities that are altered in ASD, offering insights into the diverse manifestations of the disorder and potential approaches for assessment and intervention.