Longitudinal Studies of Autism Spectrum Disorders: 2 to 23

描述（由申请人提供）：自闭症谱系障碍的纵向研究：2至23随着学龄前儿童被确定为自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）的数量逐年增加，患有自闭症谱系障碍的儿童进入青春期和成年期的数量也在增加。该项目的目的是确定在适应技能、生活质量、积极影响以及焦虑和抑郁症状方面衡量的青少年和成人结果的预测因素。该项目将重点从主要关注消极结果转向考虑个人和家庭的应对策略及其对福祉和独立的影响。在研究1中，从2岁到23岁的行为、认知、语言和社会发展的自然史将在两个来自北卡罗莱纳和芝加哥的被认为可能是ASD的儿童样本和一组非谱系发育迟缓的对照组中进行检查。最初由NIMH和NICHD资助的213名原始儿童中有187名目前仍在早期诊断研究中。这些儿童（即EDX先证者）分别在2岁、3岁、5岁和9岁时被观察到。从孩子11岁起，他们的家人就开始参与电话访谈并填写问卷，重点关注适应技能、行为问题、青春期发育和青少年癫痫发作之间的关系。这项数据收集仍在进行中（年龄现在是16-20岁）。该提案要求每个家庭每隔3年接受两次面对面评估，并在5年内每半年收集一次评估包。研究2将更具体地关注ASD的精神共病和情绪障碍，以及应对资源、共病和生活质量之间的关系。由于合并症只发生在ASD患者的一小部分，因此将招募一些年龄在9至23岁之间的密歇根儿童和青少年，以增加样本量和效力。密歇根的210名儿童和青少年将在三年内被招募，大约156人将在三年后被重新评估。研究2将采用混合横截面纵向设计。分析将结合EDX研究的现有数据，以及从EDX先证者和CDX密歇根新招募的新收集的数据。相关性：这些研究将提供关于ASD发展轨迹的个体差异的重要信息，并使我们能够更充分地了解影响年轻人结果的积极和消极方面的因素。研究结果将为家庭、儿童、青少年和成人提供更有针对性的干预措施，以提高受ASD影响的个人和家庭的独立性和生活质量。公共卫生相关性：自闭症谱系障碍的纵向研究：2至23本项目将检查患有自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）的青少年和年轻人的积极和消极结果的早期预测因素。由于越来越多的儿童被诊断为ASD，需要更多的研究来了解与青春期和青年期更好的结果相关的因素。该项目将为开发新的方法来改善自闭症患者及其家庭的生活质量提供有用的信息。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Longitudinal Studies of Autism Spectrum Disorder: 2 to 23 As the number of preschool children identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) increases each year, so too is the number of children with ASD moving into adolescence and adulthood. The aims of the project are to determine predictors of adolescent and adult outcome measured in terms of adaptive skills, quality of life, positive affect, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. The project represents a shift in emphasis from attention primarily on negative outcomes, to consideration of coping strategies for individuals and families and their impact on well-being and independence. In Study 1, the natural history of behavioral, cognitive, language, and social development from ages 2 to 23 will be examined in two well-described samples of children from North Carolina and Chicago referred for possible ASD, and a group of non-spectrum developmentally delayed controls. One hundred eighty seven out of 213 original children currently remain in the Early Diagnosis study initially funded by NIMH and NICHD. These children (i.e., the EDX probands) were seen at ages 2, 3, 5 and 9. Their families have been participating in phone interviews and completing packets of questionnaires since the children were 11 years old with a focus on relationships among adaptive skills, behavior problems, pubertal development, and adolescent onset of seizures. This data collection is still ongoing (ages are now 16-20). The proposal is for families to receive two face-to-face assessments 3 years apart and semi-annual packets collected over 5 years. Study 2 will focus more specifically on psychiatric comorbidity and mood disorders in ASD, as well as the relationship between coping resources, comorbidity and quality of life. Because comorbid conditions only occur in a subset of individuals with ASD, several new cohorts of Michigan children and adolescents with a current diagnosis (CDX) between the ages of 9 and 23 will be recruited to increase sample size and power. Two hundred and ten Michigan children and adolescents will be recruited over three years and approximately 156 reassessed 3 years later. Study 2 will employ a mixed cross-sectional longitudinal design. Analyses will incorporate existing data from the EDX study, as well as newly collected data from the EDX probands and new CDX Michigan recruits. Relevance: These studies will provide important information about individual differences in developmental trajectories in ASD and allow us to more fully understand the factors that contribute to positive and negative aspects of outcome in young adults. Findings will lead to better targeted interventions for families, children, adolescents, and adults to improve independence and quality of life for individuals and families affected by ASD. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Longitudinal Studies of Autism Spectrum Disorder: 2 to 23 This project will examine early predictors of positive and negative outcomes in adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Because of the rising number of children diagnosed with ASD, more research is needed to understand the factors that are related to better outcomes in adolescence and young adulthood. This project will provide information that will be useful in developing new ways to improve quality of life for individuals with ASD and their families.