title: What happens to children who move off the autism spectrum? Clinical follow-up study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is controversial information on outcome of school age individuals who lose the diagnosis of autism and achieve "optimal outcome" (OO). The present study assessed the autism symptoms and other psychiatric disorders in a group of children with a past history of autism.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subjects consisted of 26 individuals who had lost the diagnosis of autism 2-8 years previously. Clinical assessment was done with both parents and children. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edn; DSM-V) criteria were used for diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In addition, Childhood Autism Rating Scale and Social Communication Questionnaire (current version) were used. Psychiatric disorders were assessed using the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL).
  
  
  RESULTS
  None of the participants met the criteria for ASD. Ninety-two percent had a lifetime diagnosis and 81% had a present psychiatric disorder based on the K-SADS. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, specific phobia and obsessive-compulsive disorder were the most common disorders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Improved status with regard to autism symptomatology is maintained over time, but these individuals are vulnerable to developing other psychiatric disorders. It is crucial to maintain psychiatric follow up of children who move off the autism spectrum.
authors.affiliation: Istanbul Institute of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nahit Motavalli
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Mukaddes
authors.affiliation: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic, Koc University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Tuba
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mutluer
authors.affiliation: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Bakirkoy Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatric and Neurological Diseases, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Basak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ayik
authors.affiliation: Istanbul Institute of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ayla
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Umut
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: autism; disorder; follow up; optimal outcome; psychiatric