The association between familial ASD diagnosis, autism symptomatology and developmental functioning in young children

Authors

Jasper A. Estabillo, Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA. jestab1@lsu.edu.
Johnny L. Matson, Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA.
Xinrui Jiang, Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-2016

Abstract

Few studies have directly compared individuals with and without a relative diagnosed with ASD on various domains. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between familial ASD diagnosis and the exhibition of ASD symptoms in young children with and without ASD diagnoses. Participants included 8353 children aged 17-37 months old and their families. They were divided into four groups based on individual and family diagnosis, then compared on autism symptomatology and developmental domains. No differences were found between ASD groups on overall scores and each of the factor domains, indicating no association between family ASD diagnosis and ASD symptomatology or developmental functioning. Disparate results were found for atypically developing groups with and without relatives diagnosed with ASD. Implications of these results are discussed.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

European child & adolescent psychiatry

First Page

1133

Last Page

40

Recommended Citation

Estabillo, J. A., Matson, J. L., & Jiang, X. (2016). The association between familial ASD diagnosis, autism symptomatology and developmental functioning in young children. European child & adolescent psychiatry, 25 (10), 1133-40. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-016-0838-1