| 441. |
- Linnsand, Petra, et al.
(författare)
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A High Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Preschool Children in an Immigrant, Multiethnic Population in Sweden: Challenges for Health Care
- 2021
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Ingår i: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0162-3257 .- 1573-3432. ; 51
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study examines the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in preschool children in an immigrant population. Possible risk factors for ASD and individual needs for the children and their families are described, as well as implications for health care. The estimated minimum prevalence for ASD in the area was 3.66% for children aged 2-5 years. Multiple risk factors and extensive individual needs for the children and their families were observed. The high prevalence of ASD and the plethora of needs in immigrant communities pose challenges for health care. A coordinated health care system is necessary to meet the many and individual needs.
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| 442. |
- Lugnegård, Tove, et al.
(författare)
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Asperger syndrome and schizophrenia: Overlap of self-reported autistic traits using the Autism-spectrum Quotient (AQ).
- 2015
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Ingår i: Nordic journal of psychiatry. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1502-4725 .- 0803-9488. ; 69:4, s. 268-274
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: In clinical practice, the differential diagnosis of Asperger syndrome (AS) versus schizophrenia can be a challenge. Some self-report instruments-such as the Autism-spectrum Quotient (AQ)-have been portrayed as proxies for the diagnosis of AS. However, it has not been demonstrated to what extent autistic traits-as measured by the AQ-separate AS from schizophrenia. Aim: To examine the AS-schizophrenia discriminating ability of the AQ. Method: The AQ is a 50-item self-administered questionnaire (with score range 0-50) for measuring "autistic traits" in adults. Here, it was completed by 136 individuals: 36 with schizophrenic psychosis, 51 with AS and 49 non-clinical comparison cases. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for the total AQ score was performed to examine the discriminating power of the instrument. Result: Both individuals with schizophrenia and individuals with AS scored significantly higher on AQ than the non-clinical group. The mean total AQ score (± standard deviation) of the AS group (26.7 ± 8.9; range 9-44) was significantly higher than that of the schizophrenia group (22.7 ± 6.2; range 10-35) (P = 0.041). However, when using the full Likert scale for scoring, the difference did not reach significance. In the ROC analysis of total AQ scores for AS versus schizophrenia, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.65 (P = 0.02). Conclusion: Although mean AQ scores separated AS and schizophrenia at a group comparison level, significant overlap of AQ scores across the two diagnostic groups clearly reduces the discriminating power of the AQ in the separation of schizophrenia from AS.
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| 443. |
- Lugnegård, Tove, et al.
(författare)
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Personality disorders and autism spectrum disorders: what are the connections?
- 2012
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Ingår i: Comprehensive Psychiatry. - : Elsevier BV. - 0010-440X .- 1532-8384. ; 53:4, s. 333-340
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The relationship between autism spectrum disorders/pervasive developmental disorders and personality disorders is not completely clear, although both concepts imply lifelong impairment. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the presence of possible personality disorders in a group of young adults with Asperger syndrome. METHOD: Fifty-four young adults with a clinical diagnosis of Asperger syndrome were assessed with Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II disorders to evaluate the presence of a concomitant personality disorder and completed the Autism Spectrum Quotient to measure level of autistic features. Autism spectrum diagnosis was confirmed by Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders with a collateral informant. RESULTS: Approximately half of the study group fulfilled criteria for a personality disorder, all belonging to cluster A or C. There was a significant difference across sex: men with Asperger syndrome meeting personality disorder criteria much more often than women with Asperger syndrome (65% vs 32%). Participants fulfilling criteria for a personality disorder showed more marked autistic features according to the Autism Spectrum Quotient. CONCLUSIONS: There is a considerable overlap in symptoms between Asperger syndrome and certain personality disorders. Similarities and differences of the two concepts are discussed in the framework of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders classification system.
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| 444. |
- Lugnegård, Tove, et al.
(författare)
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Psychiatric comorbidity in young adults with a clinical diagnosis of Asperger syndrome.
- 2011
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Ingår i: Research in Developmental Disabilities. - : Elsevier BV. - 0891-4222 .- 1873-3379. ; 32:5, s. 1910-1917
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In children with autism spectrum disorders, previous studies have shown high rates of psychiatric comorbidity. To date, studies on adults have been scarce. The aim of the present study was to investigate psychiatric comorbidity in young adults with Asperger syndrome. Participants were 26 men and 28 women (mean age 27 years) with a clinical diagnosis of Asperger syndrome. Psychiatric comorbidity was assessed by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders. IQ was measured using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Third Edition. Autism spectrum diagnoses were confirmed using the DIagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders. In our study group, 70% had experienced at least one episode of major depression, and 50% had suffered from recurrent depressive episodes. Anxiety disorders were seen in about 50%. Psychotic disorders and substance-induced disorders were uncommon. In conclusion, young adults with autism spectrum disorders are at high risk for mood and anxiety disorders. To identify these conditions and offer treatment, elevated vigilance is needed in clinical practice.
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| 445. |
- Lugnegård, Tove, et al.
(författare)
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Social cognition impairments in Asperger syndrome and schizophrenia.
- 2013
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Ingår i: Schizophrenia research. - Amsterdam : Elsevier BV. - 1573-2509 .- 0920-9964. ; 143:2-3, s. 277-284
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Social cognition impairments are well described in both autism spectrum disorders, including Asperger syndrome (AS), and in schizophrenia spectrum disorders. However, little is known about whether there are differences between the two groups of disorders regarding this ability. The aim of this study was to compare social cognition abilities in AS and schizophrenia. Fifty-three individuals (26 men, 27 women) with a clinical diagnosis of AS, 36 (22 men, 14 women) with a clinical diagnosis of schizophrenic psychosis, and 50 non-clinical controls (19 men, 31 women) participated in the study. Clinical diagnoses were confirmed either by Structured Clinical Interview on DSM-IV diagnosis or the Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders. Verbal ability was assessed using the Vocabulary subtest of the WAIS-III. Two social cognition instruments were used: Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (Eyes Test) and the Animations Task. On the Eyes Test, patients with schizophrenia showed poorer results compared to non-clinical controls; however, no other group differences were seen. Both clinical groups scored significantly lower than the comparison group on the Animations Task. The AS group performed somewhat better than the schizophrenia group. Some differences were accounted for by gender effects. Implicit social cognition impairments appear to be at least as severe in schizophrenia as they are in AS. Possible gender differences have to be taken into account in future research on this topic.
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| 446. |
- Lundervold, Astri J, et al.
(författare)
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Attention Deficits in Children With Combined Autism and ADHD: A CPT Study.
- 2016
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Ingår i: Journal of Attention Disorders. - : SAGE Publications. - 1087-0547 .- 1557-1246. ; 20:7, s. 599-609
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: To investigate characteristics of attention in children with the combination of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ADHD. Method: Four groups of 8- to 10-year-old children were compared on the Conners' Continuous Performance Test-Second Edition (CCPT-II): (a) ASD + ADHD (n = 11), (b) ASD only (n = 9), (c) ADHD only (n = 38), and (d) no diagnosis (n = 134). Results: There was an overall effect of group on the Continuous Performance Test (CPT) index and measures of hit reaction time, accuracy, response style, variability, and consistency. The ASD + ADHD group, much like the ADHD only group, had a more risky response style, a higher variability, and a lower consistency than the ASD only group. The impact of intellectual function on CCPT-II performance was considerable in children within the ASD subgroups. Conclusion: The findings underscore the importance of including measures of attention and intellectual function when assessing children with the combination of ASD and ADHD.
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| 447. |
- Lundervold, Astri. J., et al.
(författare)
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Intellectual function in children with teacher reported language problems.
- 2008
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Psychology. - : Wiley. - 0036-5564 .- 1467-9450. ; 49:2, s. 187-193
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We predicted that teacher reported language problems are associated with low IQ, even when gender and behavior-emotional disorders are controlled for. All subjects were participants in a population based study. In stage 1, teachers completed a questionnaire containing four items pertaining to language function. A case-control sample (n= 294) was assessed using WISC-III and Kiddie-SADS-PL. A child was defined with "language problems" (LP) if s/he obtained a score indicating severe problems on at least one item. Teacher reported LP was found in 9.9% of the population sample and 20.7% of the case-control sample, with a three-fold higher risk for boys than girls. The LP group obtained significantly lower scores on all WISC-III factors compared with the non-LP group. The differences were not accounted for by the presence of behavioral-emotional disorders. When primary school teachers report LP, further assessment of the child's cognitive function is warranted.
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| 448. |
- Lundervold, Astri J, et al.
(författare)
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Teacher reports of hypoactivity symptoms reflect slow cognitive processing speed in primary school children.
- 2011
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Ingår i: European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1018-8827 .- 1435-165X. ; 20:3, s. 121-126
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The mediating effect of cognitive processing speed on the ability of a primary school child to achieve his/her full potential of intellectual functioning emphasizes the importance of methods to detect “slow” children. Primary school teachers may be the first to have concerns about inattentive pupils who show symptoms of hypoactivity, but may find the symptoms difficult to interpret. In the present study we ask if a primary school teacher’s report of hypoactivity symptoms can be explained by the child’s performance on tests of processing speed. The 255 children included in the present study were part of the first wave of the Bergen Child Study, in which teachers completed a questionnaire including two hypoactivity items from the Five to Fifteen (FTF) questionnaire. Processing speed was measured by the Processing Speed Index (PSI) from the WISC-III, 1–2 years after the teacher rating. Teachers reported “certainly true” on at least one FTF item of hypoactivity for 11.8% of the children. These children obtained lower scores on the PSI than the remaining children in the sample. The PSI accounted for a considerable proportion of the variance of teacher reports on the FTF item “difficulty getting started on a task/activity”. The risk of a PSI score below 85 was increased in children with teacher-reported hypoactivity symptoms. The results indicate that teacher reports of hypoactivity symptoms reflect slow cognitive processing speed and should be followed up by a psychometric examination. Still, future studies are needed to improve detection and treatment of children with slow processing speed.
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| 449. |
- Lundholm-Hedvall, Åsa, et al.
(författare)
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Autism and developmental profiles in preschoolers : stability and change over time
- 2014
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Ingår i: Acta Paediatrica. - : Wiley. - 0803-5253 .- 1651-2227. ; 103:2, s. 174-181
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AimIncreasing numbers of young children are now being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study aimed to analyse developmental trajectories in a representative group of preschool children with ASD. MethodIn a naturalistic study, 208 preschool children with different subtypes of ASD were followed over a 2-year period. Their trajectories, as regards persistence of ASD diagnoses, developmental/intellectual levels, adaptive functioning and expressive speech, were monitored. ResultsDevelopmental profiles showed considerable change over time, especially in children with atypical autism and in those with developmental delay/borderline intellectual functioning at their first assessment. Approximately 50% of the children were found to have intellectual disability (ID) at follow-up and, of these, the majority had severe ID. This was in contrast to the first assessment by the referral team when ID had rarely been mentioned or discussed. ConclusionChanges in developmental profiles during preschool years are common in children with ASD. This implies that reassessments, covering different developmental areas, are needed. Such follow-up assessments prior to the start of school will yield a more valid estimation of the child's general cognitive level and a more accurate ASD diagnosis and thus form a better basis for realistic educational planning and intervention.
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| 450. |
- Lundholm-Hedvall, Åsa, et al.
(författare)
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Autism, Processing Speed, and Adaptive Functioning in Preschool Children
- 2013
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Ingår i: Scientific World Journal. - : Hindawi Limited. - 1537-744X. ; 2013
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives. To study cognitive test profiles with a focus on processing speed in a representative group of preschool children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and relate processing speed to adaptive functioning. Methods. Cognitive assessments were performed in 190 3.6–6.6-year-old children (164 boys and 26 girls) with ASD, using either Griffiths' developmental scales ( ) or the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Third Edition (WPPSI-III) ( ). Cognitive data were related to adaptive functioning as measured by Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS). Results. Cognitive profiles were characterized by low verbal skills. Low processing speed quotients (PSQs) were found in 66 (78%) of the 85 children who were able to participate in the processing speed subtests. Except for Socialization, all VABS domains (Communication, Motor Skills, Daily Living Skills, and Adaptive Behavior Composite scores) correlated significantly with PSQ. Multiple regression analysis showed that PSQ predicted 38%, 35%, 34%, and 37% of the variance for Communication, Daily Living Skills, Motor Skills, and total Adaptive Composite scores, respectively. Conclusion. Preschool children with ASD had uneven cognitive profiles with low verbal skills, and, relatively, even lower PSQs. Except for Socialization, adaptive functioning was predicted to a considerable degree by PSQ.
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