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Autism spectrum disorders in children with normal intellectual levels: associated impairments and subgroups
Author(s) -
Sturm Harald,
Fernell Elisabeth,
Gillberg Christopher
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
developmental medicine and child neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.658
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1469-8749
pISSN - 0012-1622
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2004.tb00503.x
Subject(s) - psychology , asperger syndrome , high functioning autism , autism , pervasive developmental disorder , psychiatry , autism spectrum disorder , clinical psychology , pediatrics , medicine
In order to define potential subgroups pertaining to the spectrum of‘high‐functioning’pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs) the medical and psychiatric records of 101 children with PDD were reviewed. Ninety‐one children had a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome, nine had a PDD not otherwise specified, and one had‘high‐functioning’autism. Mean age of the children (71 males, 30 females) was 9 years 8 months (age range 5 to 12 years). Apart from the core dysfunctions of the PDD, i.e. deficient social interaction, communication and repertoires, and restricted interests, 95% had attentional problems, 75% had motor difficulties, 86% had problems with regulation of activity level, and 50% had impulsiveness. About three‐quarters had symptoms compatible with mild or severe attention‐deficit‐hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or had deficits in attention, motor control, and perception (DAMP), indicating a considerable overlap between these disorders and high‐functioning PDD in children of normal or near‐normal intelligence. A combination of affective dysregulation, thought disturbance, and severely restricted social interaction, referred to as a multiple complex developmental disorder (MCDD; a condition possibly related to schizoaffective disorder), was recorded in about 8% of the children. Seventeen percent had another major medical diagnosis or medical syndrome, which highlights the importance of completing a neurological assessment of all children with PDDs.