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Study Provides New Insights into the Implications of Autism Onset Patterns

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Study Provides New Insights into the Implications of Autism Onset Patterns

Children with developmental regression at increased risk for more severe autism

For Immediate Release: April 20, 2010

(Baltimore, MD) — Kennedy Krieger Institute announced today new study results

showing that when and how autism symptoms appear in the first three years of

life has vital implications to a child’s developmental, diagnostic, and

educational outcomes. Published this month in the Journal of Autism and

Developmental Disorders (Epub ahead of print), this study found children with

early developmental warning signs may actually be at lower risk for poor

outcomes than children with less delayed early development who experience a loss

or plateau in skills.

Researchers collected data from 2,720 parents through the Interactive Autism

Network (www.ianproject.org), the nation’s largest online autism research

project. Through custom questionnaires and standardized rating scales,

researchers examined differences in early milestone achievement (e.g., first

words, walking, phrase speech, etc.), autism symptom severity and diagnosis, and

educational supports between children with three different patterns of autism

symptom onset:

* Regression (n=44%): A loss of previously acquired social, communication or

cognitive skills prior to 36 months

* Plateau (n=17%): Display of only mild developmental delays until the child

experiences a gradual to abrupt developmental halt that restricts further

advancement of skills

* No Loss and No Plateau (n=39%): Display of early warning signs of autism

spectrum disorders without loss or plateau

Results from the study, currently the largest to have examined regression in

autism spectrum disorders, provides strong evidence for poorer developmental

outcomes in children who experienced regression, a controversial topic among

autism researchers. More specifically, children with regression had a

significant increase in severity of autism symptoms, the greatest risk for not

attaining conversational speech, and were more likely than any other group to

require increased educational supports. These findings were markedly worse for

the children whose parents reported the regression as severe.

This study was also one of the first to examine the implications of

developmental plateau, which tended to occur around the child’s second birthday.

When compared to children with No Loss and No Plateau, these children were more

likely to need educational supports and receive an autistic disorder diagnosis,

which is typically more severe than other diagnoses on the autism spectrum

(i.e., Asperger’s syndrome or Pervasive Developmental Disorder — Not Otherwise

Specified). Children with No Loss and No Plateau were at the least risk for poor

outcomes.

“Children who plateau or regress have a later manifestation of autism, but when

it manifests it devastates their development,” said Dr. Law, corresponding

study author and Director of the Interactive Autism Network at Kennedy Krieger.

“Children with developmental plateau are an especially under-researched group,

and these findings have important implications for those designing and

prioritizing clinical evaluations.”

Previous studies have reached a variety of different conclusions concerning

outcomes for children with regression. Some research has found these children

fared worse in the long-term, while other studies found no differences in

outcome between these children and those without regression. In examining these

discrepancies, the current study suggests researchers who require children to

have near typical development prior to regression may be missing the most

severely impaired children in their findings. In fact, 35 percent of parents in

this study had concerns about their child’s general development before they

noticed the more obvious signs of skill loss.

“Parents have good instincts when it comes to their children,” said Dr.

Landa, co-author and director of Kennedy Krieger’s Center for Autism and Related

Disorders. “If they’re concerned, they shouldn’t wait to see a professional for

immediate in-depth screening and developmental surveillance. We know from other

research that the sooner you can diagnose autism and start intervention, the

better the child’s outcomes.”

In addition to Landa and Law, authors of this paper are Luther Kalb and J. Kiely

Law, both of Kennedy Krieger Institute. Lead author, Luther Kalb, will present

these findings in May 2010 at the International Meeting for Autism Research in

Philadelphia, PA.

This research study was supported by grants from Autism Speaks.

About Autism

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is the nation’s fastest growing developmental

disorder, with current incidence rates estimated at 1 in 100 children. This year

more children will be diagnosed with autism than AIDS, diabetes and cancer

combined, yet profound gaps remain in our understanding of both the causes and

cures of the disorder. Continued research and education about developmental

disruptions in individuals with ASD is crucial, as early detection and

intervention can lead to improved outcomes in individuals with ASD.

About Kennedy Krieger Institute

Internationally recognized for improving the lives of children and adolescents

with disorders and injuries of the brain and spinal cord, the Kennedy Krieger

Institute in Baltimore, MD serves more than 13,000 individuals each year through

inpatient and outpatient clinics, home and community services and school-based

programs. Kennedy Krieger provides a wide range of services for children with

developmental concerns mild to severe, and is home to a team of investigators

who are contributing to the understanding of how disorders develop while

pioneering new interventions and earlier diagnosis. For more information on

Kennedy Krieger Institute, visit www.kennedykrieger.org.

###

Contact

Lustig

202-955-6222

mlustig@...

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