Developmental differences between children with autism spectrum disorder and developmental language disorders

YANG Yifan; XIAO Xuebin; TAN Yafei; WANG Shiqiong; LI Ruizhen; JIA Meixiang

doi:10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-1421

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Chinese Journal of Child Health Care ›› 2025, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (4) : 451-455. DOI: 10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-1421

Clinical Research

Developmental differences between children with autism spectrum disorder and developmental language disorders

YANG Yifan¹, XIAO Xuebin¹, TAN Yafei¹, WANG Shiqiong¹, LI Ruizhen¹, JIA Meixiang²

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Abstract

Objective To compare the differences in developmental levels of adaptive behavior, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, language, and personal-social abilities between children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and developmental language disorder (DLD), in order to provide a basis for differential diagnosis and rehabilitation training. Methods A total of 268 children with ASD and 150 children with DLD who visited the Child Health Department of Wuhan Children's Hospital from March 2022 to May 2024 were selected.All children were assessed using the Gesell Developmental Scale. Results The mean scores of children in both the ASD and DLD groups were below the normal level in the five domains of adaptive behavior, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, language, and personal-social abilities.Both groups scored the lowest in the language and social domains.The developmental levels in all domains were significantly more delayed in the ASD group compared to the DLD group (t'=8.541, 4.398, 7.194, 6.405, 9.354, P<0.001).When the product of language quotient (%) and social quotient (%) was less than 0.39, the sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing ASD were 69% and 65%, respectively (OR=0.96, 95% CI: 0.94-0.97, P<0.001). Conclusions Children with ASD and children with DLD both have impairments in the five developmental domains, with the ASD group showing more severe deficits.Both groups exhibit the most significant impairments in the language and social domains.These differences are helpful for clinical differential diagnosis and early intervention.

Key words

autism spectrum disorder / developmental language disorders / Gesell Developmental Scale

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YANG Yifan, XIAO Xuebin, TAN Yafei, WANG Shiqiong, LI Ruizhen, JIA Meixiang. Developmental differences between children with autism spectrum disorder and developmental language disorders[J]. Chinese Journal of Child Health Care. 2025, 33(4): 451-455 https://doi.org/10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-1421

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