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Onset Patterns Prior to 36 Months in Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Abstract

The present study investigated differences among children with three different patterns of autism symptom onset: regression, plateau, and no loss and no plateau. Cross-sectional data were collected from parents of children aged 3–17 years with an autism spectrum disorder (n = 2,720) who were recruited through a US-based online research database. Parental report of developmental characteristics was assessed through a parent questionnaire, and current autism symptoms were measured via the Social Responsiveness Scale and Social Communication Questionnaire. Multivariate analyses indicated that children with regression had a distinct developmental pattern marked by less delayed early development. However, following regression, these children evinced elevated autism symptom scores and an increased risk for poorer outcomes when compared with the other onset groups.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by grants to the last author from Autism Speaks. The funder had no role in determining content. We would like to thank Connie Anderson, Teresa Foden, and Gregory Kalb for their unique contributions to this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Luther G. Kalb & Rebecca Landa

  2. Department of Medical Informatics, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 3825 Greenspring Avenue, Painter Building, 1st Floor, Baltimore, MD, USA

    J. K. Law & Paul A. Law

  3. Department of Pediatrics, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    J. K. Law & Paul A. Law

  4. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Rebecca Landa

Authors
  1. Luther G. Kalb
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  2. J. K. Law
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  3. Rebecca Landa
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  4. Paul A. Law
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Correspondence to Paul A. Law.

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Kalb, L.G., Law, J.K., Landa, R. et al. Onset Patterns Prior to 36 Months in Autism Spectrum Disorders. J Autism Dev Disord 40, 1389–1402 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-010-0998-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-010-0998-7

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