Children with autism spectrum disorders and selective mutism

Steffenburg, H., Steffenburg, S., Gillberg, C. and Billstedt, E. (2018) Children with autism spectrum disorders and selective mutism. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 14, pp. 1163-1169. (doi: 10.2147/NDT.S154966) (PMID:29765220) (PMCID:PMC5944454)

Abstract

Background: It has been suggested that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) might be a “comorbid” condition in selective mutism (SM). Methods: In this retrospective study, we examined medical records of children with SM diagnosis (n=97) at a medical center specializing in assessment of ASD. Results: Mean age for onset of SM symptoms was 4.5 years and mean age at SM diagnosis was 8.8 years. SM was more common among girls (boy:girl ratio=2.7:1). We found that 63% of the study group had an ASD (no gender difference). The SM group with combined ASD had later onset of symptoms, higher age at diagnosis, more often a history of speech delay, and a higher proportion of borderline IQ or intellectual disability. Conclusion: The results highlight the risk of overlap between ASD and SM.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Gillberg, Professor Christopher
• Authors: Steffenburg, H., Steffenburg, S., Gillberg, C., and Billstedt, E.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Journal Name: Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment
• Publisher: Dove Medical Press
• ISSN: 1178-2021
• ISSN (Online): 1178-2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2018 Steffenburg et al.
• First Published: First published in Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment 14:1163-1169
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License