Behavior predictors of language development over 2 years in children with autism spectrum disorders.

Full Abstract

PURPOSE: This exploratory study examined predictive relationships between 5 types of behaviors and the trajectories of vocabulary and language development in young children with autism over 2 years. METHOD: Participants were 69 children with autism assessed using standardized measures prior to the initiation of early intervention (T1) and 6 months (T2), 12 months (T3), and 24 months (T4) later. Growth curve modeling examined the extent to which behaviors at T1 and changes in behaviors between T1 and T2 predicted changes in development from T1 to T4. RESULTS: Regardless of T1 nonverbal IQ and autism severity, high scores for inattentive behaviors at T1 predicted lower rates of change in vocabulary production and language comprehension over 2 years. High scores for social unresponsiveness at T1 predicted lower rates of change in vocabulary comprehension and production and in language comprehension over 2 years. Scores for insistence on sameness behaviors, repetitive stereotypic motor behaviors, and acting-out behaviors at T1 did not predict the rate of change of any child measure over 2 years beyond differences accounted for by T1 autism severity and nonverbal IQ status. CONCLUSIONS: The results are discussed with regard to their implications for early intervention and understanding the complex factors that affect developmental outcomes.

Author information

Author/s: Bopp, Karen D (KD); Mirenda, Pat (P); Zumbo, Bruno D (BD);

Affiliation: The University of British Columbia, 2125 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 1Z4. bopp(-atsign-)interchange.ubc.ca

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR (J Speech Lang Hear Res), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Oct; vol 52 (issue 5) : pp 1106-20

Dates: Created 2009/10/02; Completed 2009/10/30;

PMID: 19797136, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/30/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article
(including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.