The broader phenotype of autism: Comparison between siblings of individuals with autism and individuals with other diagnoses

N. Yirmiya, M. Shaked, O. Erel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Most of the literature regarding the cognitive, linguistic, social, and emotional functioning of siblings of individuals with autism suggests that these siblings do not function as well as siblings of individuals with diagnoses other than autism. The aim of the current study was to empirically summarize the data by using the procedure of meta-analysis applied to all published data involving comparisons of siblings of individuals with autism to siblings of individuals with diagnoses other than autism. Results revealed that siblings of individuals with autism received significantly lower scores indicating poorer performance mostly when they are compared with siblings of individuals with Down syndrome. Comparisons of siblings of individuals with autism with siblings of normally developing individuals, siblings of individuals with learning disabilities, siblings of individuals with mental retardation (MR) of unknown etiology, and siblings of individuals with psychiatric diagnoses do not suggest that siblings of individuals with autism are more impaired. Discussion focuses on the implication of the findings regarding the genetic hypotheses of the broad phenotype of autism: There is a need for more studies and a more careful evaluation of various outcome measures and the etiology of the comparison groups in order to clearly demonstrate and define the broad phenotype in siblings of individuals with autism.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)547
Number of pages1
JournalAmerican Journal of Medical Genetics, Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics
Volume81
Issue number6
StatePublished - 6 Nov 1998

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