The phenomenology of autistic regression: subtypes and associated factors

Ekinci O., Arman A. R., Melek I., BEZ Y., Berkem M.

EUROPEAN CHILD & ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY, vol.21, no.1, pp.23-29, 2012 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 21 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2012
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s00787-011-0228-7
  • Journal Name: EUROPEAN CHILD & ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.23-29
  • Keywords: Autistic regression, Autistic spectrum disorders, Autism, Sleep problems, PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS, ABERRANT BEHAVIOR CHECKLIST, SPECTRUM DISORDERS, LANGUAGE REGRESSION, SLEEP PROBLEMS, RATING-SCALE, CHILDREN, POPULATION, ABNORMALITIES, CHILDHOOD
  • Marmara University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the association of autistic regression (AR) and subtypes of AR with medical, developmental and psychiatric factors. Fifty-seven children with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) were included in the study. Two types of AR are defined as regression after a normal social/language development (type 1) and regression as the worsening of previously reported autistic features (type 2). The frequency of history of AR was 56.1%. Male gender and sleep problems were found to be associated with a positive history of AR. The frequency of gastrointestinal complaints/diseases was higher in children with regression type 2 when compared to the children with regression type 1. Future studies with larger sample size and prospective design will contribute to clarifying the phenomenology and the associated factors of AR.