title: Development of low- and high-functioning autistic children.
abstract: Aspects of developmental sequences and structures were assessed in low- and high-functioning autistic and non-autistic developmentally disabled children. Specific developmental issues examined included sequences, regressions and profiles. Classification into the high- or low-functioning groups was based on a full scale IQ cutoff of 50. In general, there were few differences in the sequences of development among the groups. However, the autistic children were more likely than non-autistic children to display developmental regressions and unevenness across developmental domains. These developmental peculiarities were more pronounced in the low- as compared to high-functioning autistic children. These findings are discussed with regard to issues of developmental processes, classification and autism.
authors.affiliation: McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Burack
authors.forename: F R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Volkmar
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder; D002648:Child; D003142:Communication; D002658:Developmental Disabilities; D006801:Humans; D007804:Language Development; D012043:Regression, Psychology