Co-occurrence of delayed language development and autism spectrum disorder in children with metabolic disorders

Children with various metabolic disorders are considered a high-risk group for different developmental delays. Delayed language development (DLD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have a common incidence in children with metabolic disorders which negatively impact their social and academic life. So, early assessment of this high-risk group for the presence of DLD and/or ASD is of great significance and providing better prognosis through starting therapy as early as possible.

It aims to detect the presence of DLD and ASD among children with metabolic disorders.

This is an analytical (observational) cross-sectional study. The subjects of this study comprised a convenient sample of 100 children diagnosed as having different metabolic disorders with age range between 24 and 48 months. The Modified Preschool Language Scale, Fourth Edition–Arabic version and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale were applied for all children, to detect the presence of DLD and ASD.

Assessment of 100 children with unequal distribution of 13 types of metabolic disorders found that 86% of cases had DLD and 16% had ASD. Regarding different metabolic disorders, we found both DLD and ASD in nine types and only DLD in four types of metabolic disorders.

Children with metabolic disorders are at a high risk for DLD and ASD. Early detection of these cases provides early intervention and better outcome.