Diagnoses for autism based on the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) were examined for 83 individuals with suspected autism. Individuals diagnosed with autism based on only one system were significantly younger than those with diagnoses based on both systems. Comparison for possible gender…

This study examined behavioral adjustment in 22 siblings of children with autism. Mothers rated these children as having more behavior problems and fewer prosocial behaviors than a normative sample. Analysis of variables revealed that male siblings and children younger than the autistic sibling engaged in fewer prosocial behaviors. Psychological…

The study sought to determine whether 100 emotionally disturbed, mentally retarded Ss assigned four distinct diagnostic labels could be differentiated from each other on the basis of sex, age, degree of mental impairment, and adaptive behavior. (Author)

This study investigated associations between selected infant and maternal characteristics and autism risk in 4381 California children with autism. Increased risk factors were observed for males, multiple births, and children born to black mothers. Risk increased as maternal age and maternal education increased. Children of immigrant mothers had…

Platelet serotonin (5HT) levels of 5 autistic subjects (ages 16-37) who had siblings with either autism or pervasive developmental disorder were significantly higher than levels of 23 autistic subjects without affected siblings. Autistic subjects without affected siblings had 5HT levels significantly higher than 10 normal controls. Sex, age, and…

Teacher ratings on the Aberrant Behavior Checklist were collected on 666 students with mental retardation attending special classes. Classroom placement and age had significant effects on subscale scores, whereas sex failed to affect ratings. The study concludes that the original scoring method, developed for individuals in residential facilities,…

A study examined 233 children's ratings of attitudes and behavioral interventions toward a peer with or without autism. Both third- and sixth-grade children showed less positive attitudes toward children with autism. Children showed no differences on behavioral intentions. Information about autism did not affect ratings. (Contains references.)…