Autism with and without regression: a two-year prospective longitudinal study in two population-derived Swedish cohorts

Thompson, L. , Gillberg, C. , Landberg, S., Kantzer, A.-K., Miniscalco, C., Barnevik Olsson, M., Eriksson, M. A. and Fernell, E. (2019) Autism with and without regression: a two-year prospective longitudinal study in two population-derived Swedish cohorts. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49(6), pp. 2281-2290. (doi: 10.1007/s10803-018-03871-4) (PMID:30734177) (PMCID:PMC6546868)

Abstract

Two community-based cohorts of children with autism spectrum disorder, examined using similar assessment protocols, were pooled (n = 301) and subdivided according to history of regression. Those with regression (n = 62), 20.5% of the combined cohort, were contrasted with those without regression (n = 241) at first assessment (age range 19–60 months) and at 2-year follow-up on a range of measures. The regression group was significantly more functionally impaired, with regard to intellectual function (p < .001), language development (p < .001), and to severity of autism (p < .01) at both T1 and T2. Only 14 (23.3%) had a clearly identified underlying etiology [24 (18.6%) in the non-regressive group]. There were no significant differences between those who had regressed ‘from normal’ and those who had regressed ‘from low’ functioning.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Thompson, Dr Lucy and Gillberg, Professor Christopher
• Authors: Thompson, L., Gillberg, C., Landberg, S., Kantzer, A.-K., Miniscalco, C., Barnevik Olsson, M., Eriksson, M. A., and Fernell, E.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Journal Name: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
• Publisher: Springer
• ISSN: 0162-3257
• ISSN (Online): 1573-3432
• Published Online: 04 February 2019
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2019 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 49(6):2281–2290
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License