Table 1.
Sample characteristics
| Diagnostic group | Sample characteristics | 2-year-old sample | 4-year-old sample |
|---|---|---|---|
| n = 376 | n = 230 | ||
| Autistic disorder | Sample size | n = 142 | n = 104 |
| Mean age (SD) | 26.8 (4.7) | 53 (10.3) | |
| Gender | 78% male | 86% male | |
| Mean CARS score (SD) | 35.1 (4.2) | 34.2 (5) | |
| MSEL ELC (SD)a | 58.7 (10.9) | 59.4 (16.1) | |
| Mean ADOS cutoff score (SD)b | 16.57 (4.12) | 15.46 (4.34) | |
| PDD-NOS | Sample size | n = 101 | n = 44 |
| Mean age (SD) | 25.9 (4.4) | 52.7 (9.1) | |
| Gender | 78% male | 75% male | |
| Mean CARS score (SD) | 29 (4) | 25.9 (3.4) | |
| MSEL ELC (SD)a | 63.2 (11) | 84.8 (18.2) | |
| Mean ADOS cutoff score (SD)b | 12.97 (4.66) | 9.71 (3.42) | |
| Non-ASD diagnosis | Sample size | n = 95 | n = 34 |
| Mean age (SD) | 26.6 (4.5) | 53.4 (6.6) | |
| Gender | 84% male | 88% male | |
| Mean CARS score (SD) | 22.5 (3.2) | 21.7 (3) | |
| MSEL ELC (SD)a | 68.4 (14.7) | 74.1 (19.5) | |
| Mean ADOS cutoff score (SD)b | 4.57 (3.79) | 3.36 (2.33) | |
| No diagnosis | Sample size | n = 38 | n = 48 |
| Mean age (SD) | 23.4 (4.1) | 58.1 (17.9) | |
| Gender | 71% male | 65% male | |
| Mean CARS score (SD) | 19.7 (3.4) | 17.8 (2.2) | |
| MSEL ELC (SD)a | 95.6 (12.9) | 98.9 (12.4) | |
| Mean ADOS cutoff score (SD)b | 4.11 (3.75) | 1.78 (2.11) |
a
MSEL ELC results from a sub-set of children who received the mullen scales of early learning. (2-year-old sample: autistic disorder n = 120; PDD-NOS n = 94; Non ASD n = 84; no diagnosis n = 35); (4-year-old sample: autistic disorder n = 82; PDD-NOS n = 35; Non ASD n = 28; No diagnosis n = 37)
b
ADOS results from a sub-set of children who received the autism diagnostic observation schedule. (2-year-old sample: autistic disorder n = 130; PDD-NOS n = 97; Non ASD n = 91; No diagnosis n = 36); (4-year-old sample: autistic disorder n = 91; PDD-NOS n = 38; Non ASD n = 25; No diagnosis n = 36)