The etiology of autistic traits in preschoolers: a population-based twin study

Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines
Eveline L de ZeeuwD I Boomsma

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are highly heritable, but the exact etiological mechanisms underlying the condition are still unclear. Using a multiple rater twin design in a large sample of general population preschool twins, this study aimed to (a) estimate the contribution of genetic and environmental factors to autistic traits, controlling for the possible effects of rater bias, (b) to explore possible sex differences in etiology and (c) to investigate the discordance in autistic traits in monozygotic and same-sex dizygotic twin pairs. The Netherlands Twin Register collected maternal and paternal ratings on autistic traits from a general population of 38,798 three-year-old twins. Autistic traits were assessed with the DSM-oriented Pervasive Developmental Problems scale of the Child Behavior Check List for preschoolers (1½-5 years). Mother and fathers showed high agreement in their assessment of autistic traits (r = .60-.66). Differences between children in autistic traits were largely accounted for by genetic effects (boys: 78% and girls: 83%). Environmental effects that are unique to a child also played a modest role. Environmental effects shared by children growing up in the same family were negligible, once rater bias wa...Continue Reading

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Citations

Mar 17, 2018·Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology·Zoë W HawksJohn N Constantino
Sep 12, 2019·Communications Biology·Varun WarrierSimon Baron-Cohen
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Jan 12, 2020·Communications Biology·Varun WarrierSimon Baron-Cohen
Sep 16, 2021·Twin Research and Human Genetics : the Official Journal of the International Society for Twin Studies·Terje Falck-YtterAngelica Ronald

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