Homogeneous Subgroups of Young Children with Autism Improve Phenotypic Characterization in the Study to Explore Early Development

Lisa D. Wiggins, Lin H. Tian, Susan E. Levy, Catherine Rice, Li Ching Lee, Laura Schieve, Juhi Pandey, Julie Daniels, Lisa Blaskey, Susan Hepburn, Rebecca Landa, Rebecca Edmondson-Pretzel, William Thompson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify homogenous classes of young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to improve phenotypic characterization. Children were enrolled in the Study to Explore Early Development between 2 and 5 years of age. 707 children were classified with ASD after a comprehensive evaluation with strict diagnostic algorithms. Four classes of children with ASD were identified from latent class analysis: mild language delay with cognitive rigidity, mild language and motor delay with dysregulation, general developmental delay, and significant developmental delay with repetitive motor behaviors. We conclude that a four-class phenotypic model of children with ASD best describes our data and improves phenotypic characterization of young children with ASD. Implications for screening, diagnosis, and research are discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3634-3645
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Volume47
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2017

Keywords

  • Autism
  • Autism spectrum disorder
  • Characterization
  • Phenotypes
  • Subgroups

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Developmental and Educational Psychology

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