Impaired Social Reciprocity in Parents Predicts Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children

Risk for ASD was significantly increased when both parents had subclinical ASD traits.

Autistic-like traits appear as variations in social functioning in the general population. To better understand intergenerational transmission of autistic traits, researchers conducted a nested case-control study among 256 children with parent-reported autistic spectrum disorder (ASD; autism, Asperger syndrome, or another condition on the autistic spectrum) and 1393 controls. Children were offspring of participants in the population-based Nurses' Health Study II.

Child and adult versions of the standardized Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) were used to measure autistic traits and deficits in social reciprocity. Each parent completed the SRS for the other parent. Mean parent SRS scores were significantly higher among cases than controls, and…

Reviewing Author

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics