Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

Tanoue, Yoko; Oda, Susumu; Asano, Fusao; Kawashima, Kazuko

doi: 10.1007/BF02211943pmid: 3410807

Infantile autism was diagnosed by DSM-III criteria in 132 children (26 girls) who were outpatients of the Tsuchiura Child Guidance Center during the years 1977–1985. The children, all Japanese except for one Laotian boy born in Laos, were classified according to year and month of birth. The prevalence rate of infantile autism in southern Ibaraki, Japan, within the birth cohort born between 1972 and 1978 was 13.9/10,000 children. The month of birth for infantile autism increased in the second quarter of the year. The prevalence rate of infantile autism in each 1-year birth cohort fluctuated in a 4-year cycle, which was closely correlated (r=.92) with the number of cheldren admitted with pneumonia and bronchiolitis in that area. These findings led us to postulate that infectious factors of children's pneumonia and bronchiolitis may have some role in the cause of infantile autism.

McGimsey, James; Favell, Judith

doi: 10.1007/BF02211944pmid: 3410808

The low frequency but highly intense disruptive behavior of 10 institutionalized mentally retarded persons was treated by providing them with opportunities for vigorous exercise. In two experiments, severely aggressive and hyperactive clients were exposed to two daily periods of jogging and strenuous activities in multiple baseline designs across clients. Rating scale data collected daily from cottage and school personnel indicated a systematic reduction in problem behavior for 8 of the 10 participants to levels considered “not a problem” or only “an occasional problem”. Physical exercise may offer promise as an effective, benign, and practical adjunct to other treatment and management techniques.

Couteur, Ann; Trygstad, Olav; Evered, Christopher; Gillberg, Christopher; Rutter, Michael

doi: 10.1007/BF02211945pmid: 3410809

Sixty-nine early morning urine samples obtained from three groups of young adult males (autistic, mentally handicapped, and a group of men of normal intelligence) were analyzed using the methods described by Trygstad et al. (1980). No consistent patterns of urinary chromatographic profiles were identified. A number of possible contributing factors are discussed in relation to this failure to replicate the results of previous studies.

Kistner, Janet; Robbins, Frank; Haskett, Mary

doi: 10.1007/BF02211946pmid: 3410810

Assessment and remedial approaches derived from the field of learning disabilities were applied in two studies of hyperlexic children. Information-processing strengths and weaknesses of hyperlexic children were assessed in the first study, and the hypothesis that hyperlexic children have superior abilities to retain sound/symbol associations was investigated. Results supported this hypothesis, and indicated that the exceptional reading skills of hyperlexic children are not simply a result of repeated exposure to words. In the second study, a hyperlexic child's ability to decode words was used to increase her functional speech. Written prompts resulted in rapid increases in appropriate verbal responses in naturalistic settings. Furthermore, our results demonstrated maintenance and generalization of the positive effects of written prompts.

Short, Andrew; Schopler, Eric

doi: 10.1007/BF02211947pmid: 3410811

We examined the distribution of ages of onset of autism and related communication handicaps and assessed factors related to age of onset. Subjects were approximately 1,800 children seen at Division TEACCH (Treatment andEducation ofAutistic and relatedCommunication handicappedCHildren) since 1970. Exact numbers of subjects varied with different analyses due to missing data. Data were gathered through direct assessment, interview, and questionnaire. Seventy-six percent of autistic children were identified by parents by 24 months of age, and 94% by 36 months. Families reporting early onset tended to seek help sooner and to be seen by TEACCH sooner. Early onset was most clearly related to severity as measured by IQ and ratings on the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (Schopler, Reichler, & Renner, 1986). The findings support the treatment of age of onset of autism by DSM-III-R (American Psychiatric Association, 1987).

Yoder, Paul; Layton, Thomas

doi: 10.1007/BF02211948pmid: 3410812

This study was carried out to test the main and interaction effects of training condition and pretreatment-elicited verbal imitation ability when predicting spoken language use during language training of 60 minimally verbal autistic children. Subjects were randomly assigned to Speech Alone, Sign Alone, Simultaneous Presentation of Sign and Speech, and Alternating Presentation of Sign and Speech training conditions. Speech Alone, Simultaneous Presentation, and Alternating Presentation condition facilitated more child-initiated speech during treatment than did the Sign Alone condition. Regardless of training condition, pretreatment verbal imitation ability positively predicted the size of child-initiated spoken vocabulary observed during training. Exploratory analyses indicated that, in addition to verbal imitation, pretreatment age and IQ may also predict spoken language developed during training.

Vicker, Beverly; Monahan, Michael

doi: 10.1007/BF02211949pmid: 3410813

A four-question survey form was sent to the Departments of Public Instruction and Departments of Mental Health in all 50 states. The survey solicited information on agency diagnostic practices regarding autism. A 100% return was achieved as an outcome of various follow-up procedures. Considerable variability in diagnostic practive was found between the two agencies and among the states.

Attwood, Anthony; Frith, Uta; Hermelin, Beate

doi: 10.1007/BF02211950pmid: 2970453

Autistic adolescents with mild, moderate, and severe degrees of mental retardation, Down's syndrome adolescents, and clinically normal 4-, 5-, and 6-year-old children were compared in their ability to understand a set of simple instrumental gestures. Almost all gestures were perfectly understood, that is, correctly responded to, by normal children from age 5 onwards, and by all the handicapped groups, regardless of diagnosis or degree of retardation. However, the ability to initiate such gestures on verbal request was generally less good, especially in the less able autistic groups. The same subjects were unobtrusively observed in the playground and during mealtime at their schools. Peer interactions were least frequent in the autistic subjects, regardless of degree of mental retardation. However, relative to interaction frequency, the autistic group used nonverbal instrumental gestures as a means of communication to the same extent as the other groups. Unlike Down's syndrome adolescents, or normal preschool children, no autistic adolescent ever used expressive gestures.

Anderson, George; Ross, Diana; Klykylo, William; Feibel, Frederick; Cohen, Donald

doi: 10.1007/BF02211951pmid: 3410814

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of the tryptamine metabolite, indoleacetic acid (IAA), have been measured in groups of autistic and control subjects. No significant difference was seen in group mean (±SEM) levels of CSF IAA (autistics 5.53±0.47 ng/ml, N=10). The finding indicates that central metabolism of the behaviorally active trace amine tryptamine is probably normal in autism.

Morgan, Sam

doi: 10.1007/BF02211952pmid: 3045075

Autism is a severe, long-term developmental disorder that potentially has substantial influence on different aspects of the family system. Principles from family-systems theory are considered as they relate to the autistic child within the family. A selective and critical review is presented of research findings on the influence of the autistic, child on the functioning and interactions of family members, including parents, siblings, and the family as a whole. Research findings are also reviewed on resources associated with successful family adaptation to the autistic child. Suggestions are offered for improved research to assess the relationship between certain child variables and measures of family functioning.