Subtypes of language disorders in school-age children with autism.
Cluster analysis of test scores on expressive phonology and comprehension of words and sentences in 7-9-year-old children with preschool diagnosis of Autistic Disorder yielded 4 clusters. Cluster 1 (N = 11): phonology and comprehension both low; Cluster 2 (N = 4): phonology low, near average comprehension; Cluster 3 (N = 40): average phonology, comprehension low to low average; Cluster 4 (N = 7): average or better phonology and comprehension. The clusters support two major types of language disorders in autism driven by impaired expressive phonology, each divisible by comprehension ability. The clusters refute a single language disorder in autism and are consonant with earlier-defined clinical subtypes.
Rapin
Isabelle
I
Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, and Rose F. Kennedy Center for Research in Mental Retardation and Human Development, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA. rapin@aecom.yu.edu
Dunn
Michelle A
MA
Dunn
Michael A
MA
Allen
Doris A
DA
Stevens
Michael C
MC
Fein
Deborah
D
D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000150:complications*; D002648:Child; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D032882:Comprehension; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007806:Language Disorders / Q000145:classification* / Q000209:etiology*; D007807:Language Tests; D008297:Male; D010700:Phonetics; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D012660:Semantics; D012720:Severity of Illness Index