Boston Outcomes of Autism in Toddlers Study

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in
domains of social communication and restrictive and repetitive behavior. There is general
agreement, in light of knowledge around optimal periods of neural plasticity, that ASD should
be diagnosed as early as possible since young toddlers are at a critical stage in early
development when intervention is theoretically most effective. The rate of persistence of an
ASD diagnosis is heavily debated.Therefore this study attempts:

1. To determine the rate of persistence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis and
functional outcomes, as defined by cognitive level, adaptive functioning, language
skills, persistence of ASD symptoms, and classroom placement at kindergarten age, among
children who received a DSM-5 ASD diagnosis at < 36 months.

2. To evaluate predictors of rate of persistence and functional outcomes among kindergarten
grade level children ages 5-7 years, who received an ASD diagnosis as toddlers.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder as a toddler through DSM-5 at Boston
Children's Hospital

- Enrolled in or just finished Kindergarten

Exclusion Criteria:

- Individuals with known genetic disorders including, but not limited to, Fragile X
syndrome, Down syndrome, Tuberous Sclerosis Complex and those with 16 p
deletions/duplications.