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Friday, May 8, 2009
Northwest Hall (Chicago Hilton)
11:00 AM
Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that many children with autism plateau with respect to the acquisition of new adaptive functioning skills during the adolescent years. However, the influence of gender on the trajectory of adaptive skill development in autism is not well understood. We earlier reported that IQ was a better predictor of adaptive standard score (SS) in girls than boys with autism, but that age was not related to adaptive SS in either group.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to extend previous findings by examining the relationship of age and IQ to absolute level of adaptive development (raw scores) in our cross-sectional sample of girls with autism. Methods: Participants were 94 females with autism (mean age=7.5 yrs; mean VIQ=64) who met DSM-IV criteria for an autism spectrum disorder on the ADI-R and the ADOS. Primary caregivers (usually the mother) were interviewed using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales at 17 contributing CPEA and/or STAART centers. IQs were obtained using age appropriate standardized measures. Multiple regression was performed with Verbal IQ, Nonverbal IQ and Chronological Age entered simultaneously into the model as predictors of the major domain raw scores.
Results: Both Verbal IQ (p = .000) and Chronological Age (p = .000) were found to be positively related to all three major Vineland domain raw scores, Communication, Daily Living and Socialization, however Nonverbal IQ was not significant in any of the three models.
Conclusions: These results indicate that in this sample of girls with autism, greater age was associated with greater absolute level of adaptive skills in all three domains examined, even with effects of Verbal and Nonverbal IQ controlled. This finding suggests that not all children with autism may plateau in acquiring adaptive skills. Because this sample was cross-sectional, however, further research should examine trajectories of adaptive development longitudinally across the development of girls with autism.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to extend previous findings by examining the relationship of age and IQ to absolute level of adaptive development (raw scores) in our cross-sectional sample of girls with autism. Methods: Participants were 94 females with autism (mean age=7.5 yrs; mean VIQ=64) who met DSM-IV criteria for an autism spectrum disorder on the ADI-R and the ADOS. Primary caregivers (usually the mother) were interviewed using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales at 17 contributing CPEA and/or STAART centers. IQs were obtained using age appropriate standardized measures. Multiple regression was performed with Verbal IQ, Nonverbal IQ and Chronological Age entered simultaneously into the model as predictors of the major domain raw scores.
Results: Both Verbal IQ (p = .000) and Chronological Age (p = .000) were found to be positively related to all three major Vineland domain raw scores, Communication, Daily Living and Socialization, however Nonverbal IQ was not significant in any of the three models.
Conclusions: These results indicate that in this sample of girls with autism, greater age was associated with greater absolute level of adaptive skills in all three domains examined, even with effects of Verbal and Nonverbal IQ controlled. This finding suggests that not all children with autism may plateau in acquiring adaptive skills. Because this sample was cross-sectional, however, further research should examine trajectories of adaptive development longitudinally across the development of girls with autism.