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Differentiating Autism and Asperger Syndrome on the Basis of Language Delay or Impairment

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Abstract

Asperger syndrome (AS) is differentiated from high-functioning autism (HFA) largely on a history of “language delay.” This study examined “specific language impairment” as a predictor of outcome. Language skills of 19 children with AS and 45 with HFA were assessed at 4–6 years of age (Time 1) and 2 years later (Time 2). Children’s symptoms and functional outcome scores were assessed every 2 years (Times 3, 4, and 5) until ages 15–17 years old. Regression analysis revealed that specific language impairment at time 2 more often accounted for the greatest variation in outcome scores in adolescence than the standard diagnosis of AS versus HFA based on history of language delay. Diagnostic implications are discussed.

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Acknowledgment

This research project was funded by the Ontario Mental Health Foundation. We would like to acknowledge the children and families who have participated so faithfully in this project over several years.

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Author notes

  1. Peter Szatmari

    Present address: Offord Centre for Child Studies, Chedoke Site, Hamilton, ON, Canada

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada, L8N 3Z5

    Terry Bennett, Peter Szatmari, Liezanne Vaccarella, Eric Duku & Michael Boyle

  2. Department of Psychiatry, IWK Health Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada

    Susan Bryson

  3. Speech Pathology and Audiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada

    Joanne Volden

  4. Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada

    Lonnie Zwaigenbaum

Authors
  1. Terry Bennett
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  2. Peter Szatmari
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  3. Susan Bryson
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  4. Joanne Volden
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  5. Lonnie Zwaigenbaum
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  6. Liezanne Vaccarella
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  7. Eric Duku
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  8. Michael Boyle
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Correspondence to Peter Szatmari.

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Bennett, T., Szatmari, P., Bryson, S. et al. Differentiating Autism and Asperger Syndrome on the Basis of Language Delay or Impairment. J Autism Dev Disord 38, 616–625 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-007-0428-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-007-0428-7

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