Autism spectrum disorders and symptoms in children with molecularly confirmed 22q11.2 deletion syndrome

J Autism Dev Disord. 2005 Aug;35(4):461-70. doi: 10.1007/s10803-005-5036-9.

Abstract

In this study, we assessed the presence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) among children with a confirmed 22q11.2 deletion (n = 98). The children's caregivers completed screening measures of ASD behaviors, and for those whose scores indicated significant levels of these behaviors, a standardized diagnostic interview (Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised; ADI-R) was administered. Results demonstrated that over 20% of children (n = 22) were exhibiting significant levels of autism spectrum symptoms based on the screening measures. Based upon the ADI-R, 14 children qualified for a diagnosis of an ASD, and for 11 of those children a diagnosis of autism was most appropriate. These findings increase our knowledge of developmental disorders associated with the 22q11.2 deletion and point to avenues for future investigation.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Autistic Disorder / genetics*
  • Autistic Disorder / psychology*
  • Caregivers
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Chromosome Deletion*
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22 / genetics*
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Intellectual Disability / diagnosis
  • Intellectual Disability / epidemiology
  • Interview, Psychological
  • Mass Screening / methods
  • Observer Variation
  • Psychological Tests
  • Surveys and Questionnaires