Children with Angelman Syndrome often exhibit autism-like traits, and these traits remain consistent throughout their lives.
In a groundbreaking study published in the journal Autism Research, researchers have uncovered a high prevalence of autistic traits in children with Angelman syndrome. The study, titled "Age-Related Trajectories of Autistic Traits in Children With Angelman Syndrome," evaluated 107 children with Angelman, ages 2-18, who were seen at a specialist center in the Netherlands.
The study found that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is common in children with Angelman syndrome, with reported rates ranging from 42% to 81%. Three-quarters of the participants in this study were found to be in the ASD score range when evaluated with the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS).
The researchers, whose identities are not specified in the provided information, emphasised the need for routine assessments of ASD features in children with Angelman to ensure they receive proper care. They also suggested incorporating the assessment of autistic traits and sensory processing into clinical practice for Angelman syndrome to adapt the environment to meet the child's needs.
The study found that the severity of autistic traits may change over time, but the age-related trajectory of autistic symptoms in Angelman syndrome hasn't been thoroughly investigated. Scores on the social affect subscale of ADOS, which looks at social interaction and communication, decreased over time. However, total ADOS scores, and scores on each of its subscales, were higher in children with the deletion genotype, a common type of genetic defect that causes Angelman syndrome, than with other types of genetic abnormalities.
Interestingly, scores on the Short Sensory Profile (SSP) were "exceptionally low", indicating children with Angelman have significantly more sensory processing problems than children in the general population. Scores for certain subscales on the SSP differed across genetic disease subtypes and sexes.
The researchers also found that the deletion genotype leads to more autistic traits than other disease-causing genetic abnormalities. In children with the deletion genotype, ADOS scores were generally stable over time, but decreased with age in those whose cause of disease are UBE3A mutations. The rates of ASD increased by age group, with 13% in the youngest age group (ages 2-5.9) and 32% in the oldest age group (14-18.9).
The study invited participants to return every three to four years, with 49 participants returning for a second evaluation and 14 for a third. The authors of the study highlighted the importance of long-term follow-up studies to better understand the development of autistic traits and sensory processing problems in children with Angelman syndrome.
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