Longitudinal examination of the behavioral, language, and social changes in a population of adolescents and young adults with autistic disorder.
This follow-up study evaluates the behavioral, language, and social outcomes in a population of autistic patients initially examined in childhood. We evaluated 102 (63%) of the 163 eligible subjects, including 54 adolescents (12-17 years of age) and 45 adults (> or = 18 years of age). Three patients had died in the interim. Behavior difficulties continued to be a problem in 69% of adolescents and adults. Thirty-five percent of adolescents and 49% of adults engaged in self-injurious behavior, and slightly more than 50% of adolescents and adults exhibited some stereotypic behaviors. Over 90% of both adolescents and adults had persisting social deficits. Language improved with age, although only 35% achieved normal or near-normal fluency. Comprehension also improved, although only 29% of subjects had achieved normal or near-normal comprehension of oral language. At the time of last follow-up, 28% of all patients and 53% of adults were living in residential placement. Only 11% of adults were employed on the open market, all in menial jobs; an additional 16% were employed in sheltered workshops. The social, behavioral, and language deficits identified in early life in autistic children tend to persist into adolescence and young adulthood.
Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA.
K
K
Ballaban-Gil
I
I
Rapin
R
R
Tuchman
S
S
Shinnar
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001519:Behavior; D002423:Cause of Death; D002648:Child; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000150:complications; D007360:Intelligence; D007804:Language Development; D008297:Male; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior