title: Adaptive behavior in autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified: microanalysis of scores on the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales.
abstract: The purpose of this study is to provide a microanalysis of differences in adaptive functioning seen between well-matched groups of school-aged children with autism and those diagnosed as having Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified, all of whom functioned in the mild to moderate range of intellectual impairment. Findings indicate that the major area of difference between children with autism and those with Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified, was expressive communication; specifically, the use of elaborations in syntax and morphology and in pragmatic use of language to convey and to seek information in discourse. Linear discriminant function analysis revealed that scores on just three of these expressive communication item sets correctly identified subjects in the two diagnostic categories with 80% overall accuracy. Implications of these findings for both diagnosis and intervention with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders will be discussed.
authors.affiliation: Yale Child Study Center, PO Box 207900, New Haven, CT 06520-7900, USA. rhea.paul@yale.edu
authors.forename: Rhea
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Miles
authors.forename: Domenic
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cicchetti
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sparrow
authors.forename: Ami
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Klin
authors.forename: Fred
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Volkmar
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Coflin
authors.forename: Shelley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Booker
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D016002:Discriminant Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010556:Personality Tests; D012919:Social Behavior