title: Changes in maladaptive behaviors from midchildhood to young adulthood in autism spectrum disorder.
abstract: The current study prospectively examined trajectories of change in symptoms of irritability, hyperactivity, and social withdrawal, as well as predictors of such behaviors, for ages 9-18 years for youths with autism spectrum disorder and a comparison group with nonspectrum developmental delays. Children with more severe core features of autism had consistently higher irritability and hyperactivity scores over time than those with broader autism spectrum disorder and nonspectrum delays. Across all diagnoses, behaviors related to hyperactivity showed the greatest improvement. Social withdrawal worsened with age for a substantial proportion of youths with autism spectrum disorder but not for the nonspectrum comparison group. Compared with youths without autism spectrum disorder, children with the disorder showed greater heterogeneity in trajectories for maladaptive behaviors.
authors: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. debcarl@umich.edu
authors: Deborah K
authors: DK
authors: Anderson
authors: Melissa P
authors: MP
authors: Maye
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: Lord
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007508:Irritable Mood; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012934:Social Isolation; D014481:United States