title: [Development and follow-up of autism spectrum disorders].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Autism spectrum disorders are neurodevelopmental disorders with qualitative impairment in functioning domains and areas of human characteristically. It is important to know how is the outcome in the adolescent and adult age of these people to provide the services and support needed.
  
  
  METHODS
  We review the most important follow-up studies have been conducted in autism spectrum disorders, realizes the kind of designs that have been carried out and the results obtained in different areas of development and independent functioning.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Improvements in outcome but these are generally poor in the population. A small proportion close or around 25% are experiencing better outcome. These cases generally correspond to what is known as high-functioning autism or Asperger syndrome.
authors: Centro DELETREA, Madrid, Spain. deletrea@telefonica.net
authors: Juan
authors: J
authors: Martos-Pérez
authors: Sandra
authors: S
authors: Freire-Prudencio
authors: Ana
authors: A
authors: González-Navarro
authors: María
authors: M
authors: Llorente-Comi
authors: Raquel
authors: R
authors: Ayuda-Pascual
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D012107:Research Design