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Using Adaptive Behavior Scores to Convey Level of Functioning in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Evidence from the Study to Explore Early Development

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Using Adaptive Behavior Scores to Convey Level of Functioning in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Evidence from the Study to Explore Early Development
Language: English
Authors: Sarah M. Furnier (ORCID 0000-0002-1766-1417), Susan Ellis Weismer, Eric Rubenstein (ORCID 0000-0002-9146-4497), Ronald Gangnon, Steven Rosenberg, Cy Nadler, Lisa D. Wiggins, Maureen S. Durkin
Source: Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. 2024 28(5):1135-1149.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 15
Publication Date: 2024
Sponsoring Agency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (DHHS/PHS)
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) (DHHS/NIH)
Contract Number: U10DD000180
U01DD000750
U10DD000181
U10DD000182
U10DD000183
U10DD000184
U10DD000498
U01000750
U01000748
U01000752
U01000746
U01000749
U10DD000901
U01DD001215
U54HD090256
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Cognitive Ability, Adjustment (to Environment), Severity (of Disability), Preschool Children, Scores, Socialization, Psychomotor Skills, Child Development
Geographic Terms: California, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania
Assessment and Survey Identifiers: Mullen Scales of Early Learning, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales
DOI: 10.1177/13623613231193194
ISSN: 1362-3613
1461-7005
Abstract: We examined relationships between measures of adaptive behavior, cognitive ability, and autism symptom severity in 1458 preschool-aged children with autism from the Study to Explore Early Development. While publications commonly describe autistic children as "low-" or "high-functioning" based on cognitive ability, relying solely on cognitive scores may obscure meaningful variation in functioning. We found significant heterogeneity in adaptive behavior scores of children with cognitive scores both above and below the threshold of two or more standard deviations below the population mean specified in the diagnostic criteria for intellectual disability (ID). Although cognitive and adaptive behavior scores were strongly associated in our sample, considerable variation in overall adaptive behavior and more than half in socialization and motor skills was unaccounted for by cognitive ability, autism symptom severity, and other covariates. Among children who could be designated "low-functioning" based on cognitive scores, 39.7% had composite adaptive behavior scores indicating no significant delays, while among those who might be designated "high-functioning," 9.0% had significant delays in overall adaptive behavior and 22.2% in socialization. These results suggest adaptive behavior scores capture variations in the autism phenotype not accounted for by other measures we considered.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2024
Accession Number: EJ1423424
Database: ERIC
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Description
Abstract:We examined relationships between measures of adaptive behavior, cognitive ability, and autism symptom severity in 1458 preschool-aged children with autism from the Study to Explore Early Development. While publications commonly describe autistic children as "low-" or "high-functioning" based on cognitive ability, relying solely on cognitive scores may obscure meaningful variation in functioning. We found significant heterogeneity in adaptive behavior scores of children with cognitive scores both above and below the threshold of two or more standard deviations below the population mean specified in the diagnostic criteria for intellectual disability (ID). Although cognitive and adaptive behavior scores were strongly associated in our sample, considerable variation in overall adaptive behavior and more than half in socialization and motor skills was unaccounted for by cognitive ability, autism symptom severity, and other covariates. Among children who could be designated "low-functioning" based on cognitive scores, 39.7% had composite adaptive behavior scores indicating no significant delays, while among those who might be designated "high-functioning," 9.0% had significant delays in overall adaptive behavior and 22.2% in socialization. These results suggest adaptive behavior scores capture variations in the autism phenotype not accounted for by other measures we considered.
ISSN:1362-3613
1461-7005
DOI:10.1177/13623613231193194