The investigators conducted a study to get a better grasp on the prevalence of autism symptoms and maladaptive behaviors among teens and adults with autism spectrum disorders from, and to determine predictors of change over time.

The patients in the community sample were 10 or older at enrollment, had received a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (autistic disorder, Asperger disorder, or pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified), and to have had a researcher-administered Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R).

Data were collected every 18 months via two- to three-hour interviews with family members. The 241 patients were followed from baseline through fourth follow-up, at 4.5 years.

The patients ranged from 10 to 52 years at baseline (mean 22, + 9.7); two-thirds of the patients ranged from 10 to 21. Three-fourths of the patients were male. About two-thirds of the patients (68.5%) also had a diagnosis of mental retardation.

Pages: 1  2  3  4  5  6