Journal of Studies in Language, Culture and Society (JSLCS)

From Childhood To Adulthood: A Longitudinal Study Of Autism Spectrum Disorder In Algeria

Auteurs : Bendiouis Yamina . Bendiouis Sarah .

Résumé

This study aimed to examine the evolution of autism symptomatology from childhood to early adulthood in an Algerian cohort, focusing on intensity of symptoms, social interactions, communication, restricted and repetitive behaviors, and autonomy. Nine individuals with ASD were assessed at three developmental stages: childhood (5–8 years), adolescence (12–15 years), and early adulthood (17–20 years). Symptom severity was measured using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), and adaptive functioning was evaluated with the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales. Friedman tests were conducted to analyze changes across time points. The findings revealed a significant decrease in overall symptom intensity and improvements in social interactions and nonverbal communication. Restricted and repetitive behaviors also showed a reduction by adulthood. Verbal communication and autonomy demonstrated modest progress, although with marked interindividual variability. While statistical significance was not observed for autonomy, descriptive data suggested gradual improvement in adaptive functioning. These results underscore the heterogeneity of developmental trajectories in ASD, highlighting both areas of progress and persistent difficulties. They emphasize the importance of sustained, individualized, and culturally adapted interventions across the lifespan. This study also provides novel longitudinal evidence from Algeria, contributing to the global understanding of autism development.

Mots clés

Autism Spectrum Disorder ; Longitudinal Study ; Developmental Trajectories ; Childhood ; Adolescence ; Adulthood ; Adaptive Functioning