Longitudinal Studies of Autism Spectrum Disorder: 2 to 23 As the number of preschool children identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) increases each year, so too is the number of children with ASD moving into adolescence and adulthood.
The aims of the project are to determine predictors of adolescent and adult outcome measured in terms of adaptive skills, quality of life, positive affect, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. The project represents a shift in emphasis from attention primarily on negative outcomes, to consideration of coping strategies for individuals and families and their impact on well-being and independence. In Study 1, the natural history of behavioral, cognitive, language, and social development from ages 2 to 23 will be examined in two well-described samples of children from North Carolina and Chicago referred for possible ASD, and a group of non-spectrum developmentally delayed controls. One hundred eighty seven out of 213 original children currently remain in the Early Diagnosis study initially funded by NIMH and NICHD. These children (i.e., the EDX probands) were seen at ages 2, 3, 5 and 9. Their families have been participating in phone interviews and completing packets of questionnaires since the children were 11 years old with a focus on relationships among adaptive skills, behavior problems, pubertal development, and adolescent onset of seizures. This data collection is still ongoing (ages are now 16-20). The proposal is for families to receive two face-to-face assessments 3 years apart and semi-annual packets collected over 5 years. Study 2 will focus more specifically on psychiatric comorbidity and mood disorders in ASD, as well as the relationship between coping resources, comorbidity and quality of life. Because comorbid conditions only occur in a subset of individuals with ASD, several new cohorts of Michigan children and adolescents with a current diagnosis (CDX) between the ages of 9 and 23 will be recruited to increase sample size and power. Two hundred and ten Michigan children and adolescents will be recruited over three years and approximately 156 reassessed 3 years later. Study 2 will employ a mixed cross-sectional longitudinal design. Analyses will incorporate existing data from the EDX study, as well as newly collected data from the EDX probands and new CDX Michigan recruits. Relevance: These studies will provide important information about individual differences in developmental trajectories in ASD and allow us to more fully understand the factors that contribute to positive and negative aspects of outcome in young adults. Findings will lead to better targeted interventions for families, children, adolescents, and adults to improve independence and quality of life for individuals and families affected by ASD.

Public Health Relevance

Longitudinal Studies of Autism Spectrum Disorder: 2 to 23 This project will examine early predictors of positive and negative outcomes in adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Because of the rising number of children diagnosed with ASD, more research is needed to understand the factors that are related to better outcomes in adolescence and young adulthood. This project will provide information that will be useful in developing new ways to improve quality of life for individuals with ASD and their families.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01MH081873-02
Application #
7680111
Study Section
Child Psychopathology and Developmental Disabilities Study Section (CPDD)
Program Officer
Gilotty, Lisa
Project Start
2008-09-01
Project End
2013-05-31
Budget Start
2009-06-01
Budget End
2010-05-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$492,935
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Department
Psychology
Type
Other Domestic Higher Education
DUNS #
073133571
City
Ann Arbor
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48109
Kim, So Hyun; Bal, Vanessa H; Lord, Catherine (2018) Longitudinal follow-up of academic achievement in children with autism from age 2 to 18. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 59:258-267
Jones, Rebecca M; Pickles, Andrew; Lord, Catherine (2017) Evaluating the quality of peer interactions in children and adolescents with autism with the Penn Interactive Peer Play Scale (PIPPS). Mol Autism 8:28
Bishop, Somer L; Huerta, Marisela; Gotham, Katherine et al. (2017) The autism symptom interview, school-age: A brief telephone interview to identify autism spectrum disorders in 5-to-12-year-old children. Autism Res 10:78-88
Bishop, Somer L; Havdahl, Karoline Alexandra; Huerta, Marisela et al. (2016) Subdimensions of social-communication impairment in autism spectrum disorder. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 57:909-16
Havdahl, Karoline Alexandra; Hus Bal, Vanessa; Huerta, Marisela et al. (2016) Multidimensional Influences on Autism Symptom Measures: Implications for Use in Etiological Research. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 55:1054-1063.e3
Bishop, Somer L; Thurm, Audrey; Farmer, Cristan et al. (2016) Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability, and Delayed Walking. Pediatrics 137:e20152959
Bone, Daniel; Bishop, Somer L; Black, Matthew P et al. (2016) Use of machine learning to improve autism screening and diagnostic instruments: effectiveness, efficiency, and multi-instrument fusion. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 57:927-37
Havdahl, K Alexandra; von Tetzchner, Stephen; Huerta, Marisela et al. (2016) Utility of the Child Behavior Checklist as a Screener for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism Res 9:33-42
Bishop, Somer L; Farmer, Cristan; Thurm, Audrey (2015) Measurement of nonverbal IQ in autism spectrum disorder: scores in young adulthood compared to early childhood. J Autism Dev Disord 45:966-74
Gotham, Katherine; Unruh, Kathryn; Lord, Catherine (2015) Depression and its measurement in verbal adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder. Autism 19:491-504

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