Older Fathers, “Geeky” Sons, and Academic Achievement

Older paternal age has been associated with greater risk for both autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia in offspring. Using U.K. twin registry data on >8000 twins (36% monozygotic; 55% female), investigators explored whether advanced parental age might also confer adaptive advantages related to “geekiness,” which might be associated with ASD risk.

An index score computed for each child at age 12 combined elements of nonverbal intelligence, restrictive and repetitive behaviors, and social aloofness. In analyses controlling for confounders, these scores predicted academic achievement at age 16 measured on standardized tests. Higher index scores in sons only were linearly associated with advancing age in fathers, but not in mothers, …