title: Categorical and dimensional structure of autism spectrum disorders: the nosologic validity of Asperger Syndrome.
abstract: There is an ongoing debate whether a differentiation of autistic subtypes, especially between Asperger Syndrome (AS) and high-functioning-autism (HFA) is possible and if so, whether it is a categorical or dimensional one. The aim of this study was to examine the possible clustering of responses in different symptom domains without making any assumption concerning diagnostic appreciation. About 140 children and adolescents, incorporating 52 with a diagnosis of AS, 44 with HFA, 8 with atypical autism and 36 with other diagnoses, were examined. Our study does not support the thesis that autistic disorders are discrete phenotypes. On the contrary, it provides evidence that e.g. AS and autism are not qualitatively distinct disorders, but rather different quantitative manifestations of the same disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Hans-Sachs-Strasse 6, Marburg, Germany. kampbeck@med.uni-marburg.de
authors.forename: Inge
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kamp-Becker
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Smidt
authors.forename: Mardjan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ghahreman
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heinzel-Gutenbrunner
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: Helmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Remschmidt
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012919:Social Behavior; D055815:Young Adult