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Thursday, May 7, 2009
Northwest Hall (Chicago Hilton)
12:00 PM
Background: Research suggests that a diagnosis of Autistic Disorder (AD) is valid and stable when made at age two (Kleinman et al. 2007; Lord, 1995; Stone et al., 1999). However, less is known about the diagnostic stability of AD and PDD-NOS diagnoses made prior to age 2.
Objectives: To examine the diagnostic stability for Autistic Disorder and PDD-NOS diagnoses made before age 2.
Methods: Participants were 41 children who were screened with the M-CHAT (Robins, et al., 2001), and were evaluated and diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder before age 2 (mean age at diagnosis=21 months). All children were reevaluated at age 4 (mean age=49 months) and diagnostic stability across the two time points was assessed.
Results: Of the 24 children who were diagnosed with Autistic Disorder before age 2, 83% (n=20) retained the diagnosis at age 4; 8% (n=2) received a PDD-NOS diagnosis at reevaluation; and 8% (n=2) moved off the spectrum. Of the 17 children diagnosed with PDD-NOS before age 2, 47% (n=8) retained the diagnosis, 24% (n=4) received a diagnosis of Autistic Disorder, and 29% (n=5) moved off the spectrum.
Conclusions: Results indicate that a diagnosis of Autistic Disorder has strong diagnostic stability even when diagnosed before age 2, though a diagnosis of PDD-NOS is less stable, with approximately 50% of children losing the diagnosis of PDD-NOS at reevaluation.
Objectives: To examine the diagnostic stability for Autistic Disorder and PDD-NOS diagnoses made before age 2.
Methods: Participants were 41 children who were screened with the M-CHAT (Robins, et al., 2001), and were evaluated and diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder before age 2 (mean age at diagnosis=21 months). All children were reevaluated at age 4 (mean age=49 months) and diagnostic stability across the two time points was assessed.
Results: Of the 24 children who were diagnosed with Autistic Disorder before age 2, 83% (n=20) retained the diagnosis at age 4; 8% (n=2) received a PDD-NOS diagnosis at reevaluation; and 8% (n=2) moved off the spectrum. Of the 17 children diagnosed with PDD-NOS before age 2, 47% (n=8) retained the diagnosis, 24% (n=4) received a diagnosis of Autistic Disorder, and 29% (n=5) moved off the spectrum.
Conclusions: Results indicate that a diagnosis of Autistic Disorder has strong diagnostic stability even when diagnosed before age 2, though a diagnosis of PDD-NOS is less stable, with approximately 50% of children losing the diagnosis of PDD-NOS at reevaluation.