title: Preschool language variation, growth, and predictors in children on the autism spectrum.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is wide variation in language abilities among young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), with some toddlers developing age-appropriate language while others remain minimally verbal after age 5. Conflicting findings exist regarding predictors of language outcomes in ASD and various methodological issues limit the conclusions that can be drawn about factors associated with positive language growth that could provide insights into more effective intervention approaches for increasing communication skills.
  
  
  METHODS
  Language development was investigated in 129 children with ASD participating in four assessments from mean age 2½ years (Visit 1) through 5½ years (Visit 4). Language ability was measured by a clinician-administered test of comprehension and production. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to identify predictors of language ability. Stability of language status was examined in subgroups of Preverbal versus Verbal children identified at Visit 1. Discriminant function analysis was used to classify another subset of cases according to Low Language (minimally verbal) versus High Language outcome at Visit 4.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ASD severity was a significant predictor of growth in both language comprehension and production during the preschool period, while cognition predicted growth in production. For the highest and lowest language performers at Visit 4, cognition, maternal education, and response to joint attention correctly classified over 80% of total cases. The vast majority of children who were preverbal at 2½ years attained some level of verbal skills by 5½ years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings indicate that it is possible, by 2½ years, to predict language growth for children with ASD across the preschool years and identify factors that discriminate between children who remain minimally verbal at 5½ years from those with high language proficiency. Results suggest that early intervention focused on reducing core ASD symptoms may also be important for facilitating language development in young children with ASD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders and Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ellis Weismer
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders and Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.|Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Sara T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Kover
mesh_terms: D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007804:Language Development; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis
keywords: Language growth; autism spectrum disorders; language predictors; minimally verbal; preverbal