UVM Theses and Dissertations
Format:
Print
Author:
Baer, Julie Rachel
Dept./Program:
Psychology
Year:
2012
Degree:
PhD
Abstract:
Research has indicated that traits which are milder than, but qualitatively similar to, the defming features of autism, are normally distributed in the general population and that no clear distinction can be made between the status ofbeing "affected" and unaffected" with an ASD (Constantino et aI., 2004). Recently, evidence has begun to demonstrate that subthreshold levels of autistic traits may be associated with a range of impairments similar to those observed in individuals with ASD. The current investigation utilized quantitative measures of autistic traits, psychopathology, and . functional impairment to examine the associations among and potential impact of subsyndromal autistic traits on children's emotional, behavioral, social, and adaptive functioning. In addition, multiple informant ratings were examined to explore the effects of context and informant on these associations.
The current study utilized a sample of male siblings of children with ASD (N =. 92) and clinical control children (N = 46). In the first part of the study, cross-sectional data on autistic traits, psychopathology, and functional impairment were examined in the total sample (Mage = 10.17 years, SD = 3.01) using linear multiple regression analyses. These analyses were followed-up by an examination of the effects ofmultiple informant ratings on the observed results. In the second part of the study, linear multiple regression analyses were conducted on a subset of the sample for whom two time points of psychopathology and functional impairment data were available (N =90; Mage = 12.80 years, SD =2.80) examining the prediction of time 1 autistic traits on time 2 functioning.
Results of cross-sectional analyses demonstrated that subsyndromal autistic traits were associated with a range ofpsychiatric symptoms and impairments in functioning ([Greek delta]R² = .07 to [Greek delta]R² = .35;p <.003). Analyses of longitudinal data did not support the hypothesis that subsyndromal autistic traits would confer risk for worsening psychological functioning and impairment over time. However, this could have been due to a lack of power to detect small changes in functioning owing to a limited sample size.
Results of cross-informant analyses indicated fairly strong agreement between parents and teachers on ratings of children's autistic traits and psychiatric symptoms (r = .22, p <.05 to r = .36, p <.01) suggesting that the expression of such traits and problems may be fairly consistent across settings and that parents and teachers, for the most part, agree on their interpretation of children's behavior.
The results of this study have important implications for the detection and treatment of psychopathology and functional impairment in children with subsyndromal autistic traits. Children with subsyndromal autistic traits may not be being identified by caregivers, teachers, or professionals and may be suffering unnecessarily from the associated impairments. Although this study could not determine whether subsyndromal autistic traits are the cause of such problems, if true, such children could benefit from proper identification so that they could receive treatment of the social, communication, and behavioral deficits driving them.
The current study utilized a sample of male siblings of children with ASD (N =. 92) and clinical control children (N = 46). In the first part of the study, cross-sectional data on autistic traits, psychopathology, and functional impairment were examined in the total sample (Mage = 10.17 years, SD = 3.01) using linear multiple regression analyses. These analyses were followed-up by an examination of the effects ofmultiple informant ratings on the observed results. In the second part of the study, linear multiple regression analyses were conducted on a subset of the sample for whom two time points of psychopathology and functional impairment data were available (N =90; Mage = 12.80 years, SD =2.80) examining the prediction of time 1 autistic traits on time 2 functioning.
Results of cross-sectional analyses demonstrated that subsyndromal autistic traits were associated with a range ofpsychiatric symptoms and impairments in functioning ([Greek delta]R² = .07 to [Greek delta]R² = .35;p <.003). Analyses of longitudinal data did not support the hypothesis that subsyndromal autistic traits would confer risk for worsening psychological functioning and impairment over time. However, this could have been due to a lack of power to detect small changes in functioning owing to a limited sample size.
Results of cross-informant analyses indicated fairly strong agreement between parents and teachers on ratings of children's autistic traits and psychiatric symptoms (r = .22, p <.05 to r = .36, p <.01) suggesting that the expression of such traits and problems may be fairly consistent across settings and that parents and teachers, for the most part, agree on their interpretation of children's behavior.
The results of this study have important implications for the detection and treatment of psychopathology and functional impairment in children with subsyndromal autistic traits. Children with subsyndromal autistic traits may not be being identified by caregivers, teachers, or professionals and may be suffering unnecessarily from the associated impairments. Although this study could not determine whether subsyndromal autistic traits are the cause of such problems, if true, such children could benefit from proper identification so that they could receive treatment of the social, communication, and behavioral deficits driving them.