Development of Autistic Social Traits Across Childhood and Adolescence in a sample of Egyptian children

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication, as well as restricted and repetitive behaviors, interests and activities. The spectrum ranges from severe (typically accompanied by intellectual impairment and lack of language) to relatively high functioning. With the introduction of DSM-5, several disorders previously labeled as pervasive developmental disorders have been merged into a single ASD diagnosis. ASD is both highly heritable and highly stable over time. Longitudinal studies have found that individuals diagnosed with ASD rarely move off the spectrum, although improvement in symptoms is often observed between childhood and adolescence/ adulthood. Similarly, high stability has been found when autistic traits are measured in the general population. This study was conducted to compare between development of autistic social traits among children and adolescents diagnosed as ASD, to determine the clinical and demographic variables associated with social traits in autistic children and to ascertain any predictors or risk factors for the development or lack of