International
Around 37% of toddlers diagnosed with autism before the age of 3 won't meet the criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by school age, according to US research. The study followed 213 toddlers diagnosed with ASD before age 3, who were retested for autism at ages 5-7. It found that toddlers with higher 'adaptive functioning' - a measure of communication skills, daily living skills, socialisation, and motor skills - were more likely to have non-persistent ASD diagnoses. Girls were also more likely than boys to have non-persistent ASD diagnoses. The intensity of therapies and interventions did not seem to have a link to ASD persistence. The authors say this study shows that children with an early ASD diagnosis require monitoring over time to clarify their diagnosis and to provide ongoing treatment recommendations.
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