Isaac Scientific Publishing

Psychology Research and Applications

Investigating Developmental Profiles of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Early Indicators and Directions for Intervention

Download PDF (178.5 KB) PP. 41 - 49 Pub. Date: September 30, 2021

DOI: 10.22606/pra.2021.33001

Author(s)

  • Camilla Teresa Martini Mazetto*
    University of Paris, Institute of Psychology, Laboratory of Psychopathology and Health Process, Paris, France; CARI Innovations in Psychology, São Paulo, Brazil
  • Eric Thiébaut
    University of Lorraine, Lorraine Laboratory of Psychology and Neurosciences of Behavior Dynamics, Nancy, France
  • Thais Aquino Vizoná
    CARI Innovations in Psychology, São Paulo, Brazil
  • Maria Clara Nassif
    CARI Innovations in Psychology, São Paulo, Brazil
  • Raissa Ruza dos Santos
    CARI Innovations in Psychology, São Paulo, Brazil
  • Marie-Anna Bernard-Paulais
    Psychology Office ESPAS-IDDEES, Pont-Ste-Maxence, France
  • Jaqueline Wendland
    University of Paris, Institute of Psychology, Laboratory of Psychopathology and Health Process, Paris, France
  • Maria Thereza Costa Coelho de Souza
    University of São Paulo, Psychology Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
  • Jean-Louis Adrien
    University of Paris, Institute of Psychology, Laboratory of Psychopathology and Health Process, Paris, France

Abstract

The study describes the relationships between autistic symptomatology severity, developmental heterogeneity, and chronological age for a group of 62 Brazilian children with ASD (59 boys, 3 girls); average chronological age was 42 months and 8 days (SD = 17 months, 15 days). Assessments were carried out with the Social Cognitive Evaluation Battery (SCEB), a French psychological assessment tool currently being validated in Brazil, and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). Results indicated a negative correlation between developmental levels and intensity of autistic symptoms; a negative correlation between heterogeneity indices and developmental levels; and a positive correlation between heterogeneity indices and autistic symptomatology intensity. When comparing the group of younger children (less than 33 months) to the older children in the sample, the study demonstrates that early socio-emotional heterogeneity is a developmental marker in young children with ASD, and this finding can lead to personalized intervention programs.

Keywords

child development; Autism spectrum disorder; psychological tests, neurodevelopmental disorders, early diagnosis, developmental psychology

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