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Quantifying dimensions in autism:: A factor-analytic study

delete2002-04-01
delete84
PRE
AI
P
Péter Szatmári
C
Chantal Mérette
S
Susan E. Bryson
J
Jacques Thivierge
M
Marc‐André Roy
M
Mireille Cayer
M
Michel Maziade
DOI:10.1097/00004583-200204000-00020delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether the phenotypic variation in autism and the related pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs) is a unitary construct or whether it is composed of distinct dimensions of autistic symptoms and measures of level of functioning. Method: One hundred twenty-nine children with autism and other forms of PDD from two samples with different inclusion criteria were assessed with the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales to measure level of functioning and the Autism Diagnostic Interview to measure severity of autistic behaviors. A factor analysis with varimax rotation was performed on each sample, separately and combined. Results: Two factors emerged; one representing autistic symptoms and another representing level of functioning. The factor structure was remarkably similar and robust to variations in ascertainment and inclusion criteria between the samples. The validity of the distinction was supported by differences between males and females on the symptom factor, but not on the level of functioning factor. IQ was modestly correlated with level of functioning, but not with symptoms. Conclusions: The phenotypic variation seen in autism/PDD is composed of at least two different dimensions of autistic symptoms and level of functioning. The implications of this dimensional heterogeneity for research, classification, and clinical practice are discussed.
Keywords:
autism
phenotype
measurement

Journal

J
Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
IF:
9.5
Papers:
2.0W
Citations:
2.0W

Organization

No organization information available
Cited Papers

Cited Papers

Familial factors influence level of functioning in pervasive developmental disorder
err1999-06-01
err74
PREAI
errMacLean, JE; Szatmari, P; Jones, MB; Bryson, SE; Mahoney, WJ; Bartolucci, G; Tuff, L
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Autism screening questionnaire: diagnostic validity
err2018-01-03
err1.2K
PREAI
errBerument, SK; Rutter, M; Lord, C; Pickles, A; Bailey, A
errShare
errSave
errShare
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Validating independent ratings of executive functioning following acquired brain injury using Rasch analysis
err2012-12-01
err0
PREAI
errSara K. Simblett; Rachel Badham; Kate Greening; Anna Adlam; Howard Ring; Andrew Bateman
errShare
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Reliability and accuracy of differentiating pervasive developmental disorder subtypes
err1998-03-01
err173
PREAI
errMahoney, WJ; Szatmari, P; MacLean, JE; Bryson, SE; Bartolucci, G; Walter, SD; Jones, MB; Zwaigenbaum, L
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