title: The high-functioning autistic experience: birth to preteen years.
abstract: A retrospective chart review of 15 children with high-functioning autism was conducted for the years 1981 through 1992. The purpose of the study was to describe the experience of children with high-functioning autism from infancy through preadolescence. Chart data included clinic staff records, parent letters, academic program records, service records, and comments from the children themselves. The findings of this study support the proposition that children with autism who have an IQ above 70 follow a varied but improving course over time. All 15 children met the DSM-III-R criteria for autism when first evaluated. By middle elementary school, however, none of the children in this study met the DSM-III-R criteria for autism, although they continued to have various language disturbances, social skill deficits, and unique behavioral qualities.
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Church
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Coplan
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007360:Intelligence; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies