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Thursday, May 7, 2009
Northwest Hall (Chicago Hilton)
12:00 PM
Background: Many studies have sought to improve the power of their analysis by increasing sample size, stratifying groups to improve phenotypic homogeneity and performing linkage analysis to quantitative traits related to phenotypic components of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) (Hus V., Pickles A., Cook E., Risi S., Lord C., 2007).
In line with previous research the purpose of this study was to identify similiraties and differences of phenotypic characteristics (ADI-R domains, NVIQ, age, sex) in children with ASD, considering alternatively the 3 ADI-R domains: Communication, Social Reciprocal Communication and Restricted and Repetitive Behaviours.
We analysed 92 ASD children (diagnosis: 54 Autism, 31 PDD-NOS, 7 Asperger syndrome), 79 males and 13 females, ages 2 to 15 years, (aver. chron. age 6,6; sd 3,3). Parent were asked to complete the ADI-R while each child was evaluated using the Leiter-R.
Considering the Communication domain we found higher restricted and repetitive behaviours in children above the cut-off (>cut-off aver. score 6,1; sd 3,4;cut-off aver. score 16,6 - sd 6,9; Evaluating the Social Reciprocal Communication domain, there were higher restricted and repetitive behaviours (>cut-off aver. score 6,1; sd 3,4; cut-off aver. score 76,8; sd 22,7; cut-off aver. score 23,9; sd 15,6; In the Restricted and Repetitive Behaviours domain subjects showed an higher impairment on communication, a more pronounced stereotyped and repetitive language (> cut-off aver. score 2,4; sd 2,1; cut-off aver.score average 77,7; sd 22,8; cut-off aver. score 2,8; sd 2; cut-off aver. score 11,8; sd 5,2; < cut-off aver. score 8,9; sd 5,3; F= 4,819; p=0,031).
In general, the analysis of the single domain of ADI-R highlighted the distinct phenotypic charateristics in ASDs. In particular, the group with Restricted and Repetitive Behaviours seems to be characterized of a lack of early social ablity (eye conctact and social smile) and an higher impairment on verbal communication.
In the group that had a higher cut-off in the Social Reciprocal Communication domain, the low NVIQ might play a central role that need to be more investigated.
Moreover, these results might be used to drive more effective and individualised intervention.
In line with previous research the purpose of this study was to identify similiraties and differences of phenotypic characteristics (ADI-R domains, NVIQ, age, sex) in children with ASD, considering alternatively the 3 ADI-R domains: Communication, Social Reciprocal Communication and Restricted and Repetitive Behaviours.
We analysed 92 ASD children (diagnosis: 54 Autism, 31 PDD-NOS, 7 Asperger syndrome), 79 males and 13 females, ages 2 to 15 years, (aver. chron. age 6,6; sd 3,3). Parent were asked to complete the ADI-R while each child was evaluated using the Leiter-R.
Considering the Communication domain we found higher restricted and repetitive behaviours in children above the cut-off (>cut-off aver. score 6,1; sd 3,4;
In general, the analysis of the single domain of ADI-R highlighted the distinct phenotypic charateristics in ASDs. In particular, the group with Restricted and Repetitive Behaviours seems to be characterized of a lack of early social ablity (eye conctact and social smile) and an higher impairment on verbal communication.
In the group that had a higher cut-off in the Social Reciprocal Communication domain, the low NVIQ might play a central role that need to be more investigated.
Moreover, these results might be used to drive more effective and individualised intervention.