title: Empirically based phenotypic profiles of children with pervasive developmental disorders: interpretation in the light of the DSM-5.
abstract: This study aimed to contribute to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) debates on the conceptualization of autism by investigating (1) whether empirically based distinct phenotypic profiles could be distinguished within a sample of mainly cognitively able children with pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), and (2) how profiles related to diagnoses and co-occurring behavioral and emotional problems. Six classes with distinct profiles were discerned. Three classes showed profiles not completely in line with the proposed DSM-5 conceptualization of autism. These classes included relatively many cognitively able individuals with PDD-not otherwise specified. However, profiles seemed to suit other diagnostic categories, such as social communication disorder. These alternative diagnoses could retain eligibility for services, and might adequately fit more specifically targeted interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam/Sophia Children's Hospital, Dr. Molewaterplein 60, 3015 GJ, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. k.greaves-lord@erasmusmc.nl
authors.forename: Kirstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Greaves-Lord
authors.forename: Mart L J M
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Eussen
authors.forename: Frank C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Verhulst
authors.forename: Ruud B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Minderaa
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mandy
authors.forename: James J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Hudziak
authors.forename: Mark Peter
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Steenhuis
authors.forename: Pieter F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: de Nijs
authors.forename: Catharina A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Hartman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales