title: Differentiating autism and Asperger syndrome on the basis of language delay or impairment.
abstract: Asperger syndrome (AS) is differentiated from high-functioning autism (HFA) largely on a history of "language delay." This study examined "specific language impairment" as a predictor of outcome. Language skills of 19 children with AS and 45 with HFA were assessed at 4-6 years of age (Time 1) and 2 years later (Time 2). Children's symptoms and functional outcome scores were assessed every 2 years (Times 3, 4, and 5) until ages 15-17 years old. Regression analysis revealed that specific language impairment at time 2 more often accounted for the greatest variation in outcome scores in adolescence than the standard diagnosis of AS versus HFA based on history of language delay. Diagnostic implications are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Terry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Szatmari
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bryson
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Volden
authors.forename: Lonnie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zwaigenbaum
authors.forename: Liezanne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vaccarella
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Duku
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boyle
mesh_terms: D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007806:Language Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D007807:Language Tests; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index