What Factors Predict Adaptive Functioning in Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder? A Longitudinal Study
Adaptive functioning constitutes a fundamental aspect of the phenotype associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in preschool-aged children, exerting a significant influence on both the child and the family’s overall quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictors of th...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical Medicine |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/13/6/1565 |
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| author | Laura Casula Maria Grazia Logrieco Giulio D’Urso Silvia Guerrera Emanuela Petrolo Ilaria Nicolì Vittoria Celentano Giusi Antonia Toto Stefano Vicari Mirco Fasolo Giovanni Valeri |
| author_facet | Laura Casula Maria Grazia Logrieco Giulio D’Urso Silvia Guerrera Emanuela Petrolo Ilaria Nicolì Vittoria Celentano Giusi Antonia Toto Stefano Vicari Mirco Fasolo Giovanni Valeri |
| author_sort | Laura Casula |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Adaptive functioning constitutes a fundamental aspect of the phenotype associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in preschool-aged children, exerting a significant influence on both the child and the family’s overall quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictors of the adaptive functioning domains in preschool-age children with ASD at two time points, providing a snapshot of this fundamental developmental step. <b>Methods:</b> Ninety-five children with ASD (<i>M</i> = 3.89, <i>SD</i> = 1.13) were included in the study and longitudinal data (the mean length of the longitudinal data collection was 1 year) on ASD features such as social communication and social interaction, repetitive and restricted behavior, cognitive level, and adaptive functioning were collected. We considered autistic features, cognitive level, and sociodemographic factors as possible predictors of the different adaptive functioning domains one year later. <b>Results:</b> Data obtained showed a worsening of the ASD features and adaptive functioning after one year. Furthermore, the severity of repetitive and restricted behavior predicted adaptive functioning, especially in the social and practical domains of the child, one year later. This prediction was observed alongside the child’s cognitive level. <b>Conclusions:</b> The study identifies some potential predictive factors of specific adaptive functioning domains in preschoolers with ASD. Considering how critical adaptive functioning is for the well-being of both the child and their family, it becomes imperative to design early-stage interventions focused on nurturing adaptive skills in children with ASD. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T18:09:07Z |
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| issn | 2077-0383 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T18:09:07Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Clinical Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-5d6aeef396ad4082b4985aaec59b48b52024-03-27T13:47:43ZengMDPI AGJournal of Clinical Medicine2077-03832024-03-01136156510.3390/jcm13061565What Factors Predict Adaptive Functioning in Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder? A Longitudinal StudyLaura Casula0Maria Grazia Logrieco1Giulio D’Urso2Silvia Guerrera3Emanuela Petrolo4Ilaria Nicolì5Vittoria Celentano6Giusi Antonia Toto7Stefano Vicari8Mirco Fasolo9Giovanni Valeri10Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Children’s Hospital Bambino Gesù, Piazza Sant’Onofrio, 4, 00165 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Human Sciences, University of Foggia, Via Arpi 55, 71121 Foggia, ItalyDepartment of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 33, 66100 Chieti, ItalyDepartment of Neuroscience, IRCCS Children’s Hospital Bambino Gesù, Piazza Sant’Onofrio, 4, 00165 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Neuroscience, IRCCS Children’s Hospital Bambino Gesù, Piazza Sant’Onofrio, 4, 00165 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 33, 66100 Chieti, ItalyDepartment of Neuroscience, IRCCS Children’s Hospital Bambino Gesù, Piazza Sant’Onofrio, 4, 00165 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Human Sciences, University of Foggia, Via Arpi 55, 71121 Foggia, ItalyDepartment of Neuroscience, IRCCS Children’s Hospital Bambino Gesù, Piazza Sant’Onofrio, 4, 00165 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 33, 66100 Chieti, ItalyDepartment of Neuroscience, IRCCS Children’s Hospital Bambino Gesù, Piazza Sant’Onofrio, 4, 00165 Rome, ItalyAdaptive functioning constitutes a fundamental aspect of the phenotype associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in preschool-aged children, exerting a significant influence on both the child and the family’s overall quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictors of the adaptive functioning domains in preschool-age children with ASD at two time points, providing a snapshot of this fundamental developmental step. <b>Methods:</b> Ninety-five children with ASD (<i>M</i> = 3.89, <i>SD</i> = 1.13) were included in the study and longitudinal data (the mean length of the longitudinal data collection was 1 year) on ASD features such as social communication and social interaction, repetitive and restricted behavior, cognitive level, and adaptive functioning were collected. We considered autistic features, cognitive level, and sociodemographic factors as possible predictors of the different adaptive functioning domains one year later. <b>Results:</b> Data obtained showed a worsening of the ASD features and adaptive functioning after one year. Furthermore, the severity of repetitive and restricted behavior predicted adaptive functioning, especially in the social and practical domains of the child, one year later. This prediction was observed alongside the child’s cognitive level. <b>Conclusions:</b> The study identifies some potential predictive factors of specific adaptive functioning domains in preschoolers with ASD. Considering how critical adaptive functioning is for the well-being of both the child and their family, it becomes imperative to design early-stage interventions focused on nurturing adaptive skills in children with ASD.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/13/6/1565adaptive functioningpreschoolersautismrepetitive and restricted behaviorslongitudinal study |
| spellingShingle | Laura Casula Maria Grazia Logrieco Giulio D’Urso Silvia Guerrera Emanuela Petrolo Ilaria Nicolì Vittoria Celentano Giusi Antonia Toto Stefano Vicari Mirco Fasolo Giovanni Valeri What Factors Predict Adaptive Functioning in Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder? A Longitudinal Study Journal of Clinical Medicine adaptive functioning preschoolers autism repetitive and restricted behaviors longitudinal study |
| title | What Factors Predict Adaptive Functioning in Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder? A Longitudinal Study |
| title_full | What Factors Predict Adaptive Functioning in Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder? A Longitudinal Study |
| title_fullStr | What Factors Predict Adaptive Functioning in Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder? A Longitudinal Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | What Factors Predict Adaptive Functioning in Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder? A Longitudinal Study |
| title_short | What Factors Predict Adaptive Functioning in Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder? A Longitudinal Study |
| title_sort | what factors predict adaptive functioning in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder a longitudinal study |
| topic | adaptive functioning preschoolers autism repetitive and restricted behaviors longitudinal study |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/13/6/1565 |
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