Cognitive and Language Skills in Adults with Autism: A 40-Year Follow-Up

Autor/inn/en	Howlin, Patricia; Savage, Sarah; Moss, Philippa; Tempier, Althea; Rutter, Michael
Titel	Cognitive and Language Skills in Adults with Autism: A 40-Year Follow-Up
Quelle	In: Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 55 (2013) 1, S.49-58 (10 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0021-9630
DOI	10.1111/jcpp.12115
Schlagwörter	Autism; Pervasive Developmental Disorders; Intelligence Quotient; Language Skills; Cognitive Ability; Adults; Children; Standardized Tests; Developmental Stages; Aggression; Self Destructive Behavior; Injuries; Language Impairments; Neurological Impairments; Epilepsy; Behavior Disorders; Intervention; Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Autismus; Intelligenzquotient; Language skill; Sprachkompetenz; Denkfähigkeit; Child; Kind; Kinder; Standadised tests; Standardisierter Test; Self destrucive behaviour; Selbstzerstörung; Speech disorder; Speech disorders; Speech disabilities; Speech disability; Speech handicap; Speech handicaps; Speech impairment; Speech impairments; Language handicaps; Sprachbehinderung; Neurodegenerative Erkrankung; Epilepsie
Abstract	Background: It is well established that very few individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and an IQ below 70 are able to live independently as adults. However, even amongst children with an IQ in the normal range, outcome is very variable. Childhood factors that predict later stability, improvement or decline in cognitive functioning remain uncertain and, in particular, very little is known about trajectories in later adulthood. Method: Changes in cognitive and language ability from childhood to adulthood were assessed in 60 individuals with autism, all of whom had an IQ in the average range as children. Mean age in childhood = 6 years (range 2-13 years); mean age in adulthood = 44 years (range 29-64 years). Trajectories of change and factors related to current cognitive abilities were explored. Results: For the majority of participants (N = 45, 75%), who were testable both as children and adults, IQ remained very stable and language also improved over time. However, 15 individuals could not be assessed on standard tests as adults and their developmental level could be estimated only on the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales. Almost all these adults (apart from one who had suffered a major stroke) showed severe aggressive or self-injurious behaviours; none had ever developed language above a 3-year level, and seven had developed epilepsy. Conclusions: For most individuals with autism who had an IQ in the average range (i.e. =70) as children, childhood IQ proved a reliable predictor of cognitive functioning well into mid- to- later adulthood. However, a significant minority was no longer testable on standard tests as adults. Their current very low levels of functional ability were generally associated with severe behavioural disturbance and persisting and severe language impairment; 50% of these individuals had also developed epilepsy, pointing to the role of organic brain dysfunction. Implications for early intervention are discussed. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10