Children with an ASD who lose skills have become known as a subgroup called
“regressive autism”. Regressive autism usually refers to a child where parents report
an early history of normal development for 12-24 months which is followed by a loss
of previously acquired skills. Language regression is the most obvious form of
regression but it can also be accompanied by more global regression involving loss
of social skills and social interest.
Regression research – what do we know?
Regression research – what do we know?
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How common is it? Published studies have reported regression in speech, use
of gesture and general development in between 22% and 50% of children with
ASDs. Prevalence rates vary because of differences in the definitions used in
these studies. For example, some defined language regression as loss of at least
five words for a period of at least 3 months whereas others defined regression as
a loss of consistent use of one word used communicatively. Lord et al., (2004)
found that language regression occurs at equal rates in children diagnosed with
autism or PDD-NOS. Hansen et al. (2008) found that 41% of children in their
study of 333 children with ASD regressed in language and other skills.
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