A comparative study of cognitive and socio-emotional development in children with Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome and children with Autism Spectrum Disorder associated with a severe intellectual disability, and in young typically developing children with matched developmental ages

Abstract

Background: Cognitive and socio-emotional profiles of children with CREBBP-related Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome (RSTS 1), children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) with severe intellectual disability and developmental ages (DA) under 24 months, and typically developing (TD) children with similar DA were compared.

Participants: Thirty-one children with RSTS 1 (mean chronological age, CA = 59,8 months; 33-87) and thirty children with ASD, matched on CA and DA and developmental quotients (DQ), were compared to thirty TD children (CA ranged from 12 to 24 months).

Methods: Cognitive and socio-emotional developmental levels, DA and DQ were assessed with appropriated tests.

Results: More socio-emotional developmental similarities were observed between TD and RSTS 1 than between TD and ASD children. Clinical groups displayed similar developmental delays in cognitive (self-image, symbolic play, means-ends, and object permanence) and socio-emotional domains (language and imitation). Children with RSTS 1 exhibited higher developmental levels in behavior regulation, joint attention, affective relations, emotional expression domains, and a lower developmental level in spatial relations domain.

Conclusions: Common interventions centered on symbolic play, self-image, language, and imitation for both clinical groups, and differentiated interventions centered on spatial abilities for RSTS 1 children and on social abilities for ASD could be used by caregivers were suggested.

Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder; Cognitive; Developmental heterogeneity; Psycho-educational interventions; Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome; Socio-emotional development; Typically developing.