What happens to children with PDD when they grow up? Prospective follow-up of 219 children from preschool age to mid-childhood.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the psychological development of children with pervasive developmental disorders over a period of 3 years and to identify the factors linked to their developmental paths.


METHODS
The study was a collaborative and prospective follow-up study of 219 preschoolers. Retrospective data and enrollment data were collected at the beginning of the study and 3 years later.


RESULTS
We observed high variability in the short-term outcomes of preschoolers. In line with previous research, our results showed that intellectual, linguistic and adaptive functioning were useful for predicting outcome. The severity of a child's autistic symptoms appears to be related to his or her future development. These variables can therefore be used as predictors of outcome for preschoolers with autism.


CONCLUSIONS
Developmental and symptom changes in young children with autism should not be overlooked and need to be assessed regularly in view of choosing suitable servicing programs.
Baghdadli
A
A
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Montpellier I University, Montpellier, France. a-baghdadli@chu-montpellier.fr
Picot
M-C
MC
Michelon
C
C
Bodet
J
J
Pernon
E
E
Burstezjn
C
C
Hochmann
J
J
Lazartigues
A
A
Pry
R
R
Aussilloux
C
C
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis