Boston Outcomes of Autism in Toddlers Study

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this research study is to learn more about the outcomes of children who received an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis when they were toddlers. The study is interested in whether an early diagnosis can help children with their cognitive, language, social, and behavioral abilities.

Detailed Description
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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in domains of social communication and restrictive and repetitive behavior. There is general agreement, in light of knowledge around optimal periods of neural plasticity, that ASD should be diagnosed as early as possible since young toddlers are at a critical stage in early development when intervention is theoretically most effective. The rate of persistence of an ASD diagnosis is heavily debated.Therefore this study attempts: To determine the rate of persistence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis and functional outcomes, as defined by cognitive level, adaptive functioning, language skills, persistence of ASD symptoms, and classroom placement at kindergarten age, among children who received a DSM-5 ASD diagnosis at < 36 months. To evaluate predictors of rate of persistence and functional outcomes among kindergarten grade level children ages 5-7 years, who received an ASD diagnosis as toddlers.

Official Title
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The Boston Outcomes of Autism in Toddlers Study

Conditions
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Autism Spectrum Disorder, Autism

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder as a toddler through DSM-5 at Boston Children's Hospital Enrolled in or just finished Kindergarten Exclusion Criteria: Individuals with known genetic disorders including, but not limited to, Fragile X syndrome, Down syndrome, Tuberous Sclerosis Complex and those with 16 p deletions/duplications.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 5 Years
Maximum Age: 7 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Prospective Group<br>Individuals enrolled or just finished kindergarten who were diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder through the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ASD Symptomatology | The severity of ASD symptoms in the child (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised) | 3 years (Age of diagnosis to Kindergarten Age) | 
| Cognitive Level | Play-based assessment in which a child's cognitive level is determined. (Differential Ability Scales - Second Edition) | 3 years (Age of diagnosis to Kindergarten Age) | 
| Language Level | Play-based assessment in which a child's language level is determined.Preschool Language Scale - Fifth Edition | 3 years (Age of diagnosis to Kindergarten Age) | 
| Adaptive Functioning | Parent report on the child's current adaptive functioning (Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-3) | 3 years (Age of diagnosis to Kindergarten Age) | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Asperger's, autism, autism spectrum disorder, ASD