Family History of Neurodevelopmental and Psychiatric Conditions Increases Vulnerability in Siblings of Children with Autism

A study from the Yale Child Study Center has found that children with an older sibling with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at a higher risk of developmental vulnerabilities if they also have family members with neurodevelopmental or psychiatric conditions. The research, published in the journal Autism Research, investigated the relationship between family history and developmental outcomes in 229 younger siblings of children with autism.

Researchers discovered that siblings of children with autism who had relatives with conditions such as schizophrenia, anxiety, or intellectual disability had increased severity of social and communication difficulties, lower verbal and nonverbal skills, and less developed adaptive skills. These findings can help pediatricians identify infant siblings of children with autism who may be at higher risk for later developmental concerns.

Key Takeaways:

• Children with an older sibling with autism are at higher risk of developmental vulnerabilities if they also have family members with neurodevelopmental or psychiatric conditions.
• Siblings of children with autism who have relatives with schizophrenia, anxiety, or intellectual disability exhibit increased severity of social and communication difficulties.
• Family history of anxiety and intellectual disability is associated with lower verbal and nonverbal skills in siblings participating in the study.
• Siblings with family members who have neurodevelopmental or psychiatric conditions may be at higher risk for less developed adaptive skills.
• The study suggests that family history of selected psychiatric and developmental disorders signals increased developmental vulnerabilities in younger siblings.
• Peddications may use this information to identify infant siblings of children with autism who may be at higher risk for later developmental concerns.

Statistics:

• 229 younger siblings of children with autism participated in the study.
• The study collected family history information from parents of these siblings between March 2006 and May 2022.
• Siblings exhibited a range of developmental concerns across social, cognitive, language, and adaptive functioning.
• An elevated prevalence of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders was found in the first-, second-, and third-degree relatives of children with autism.
• Conditions most commonly present in relatives included anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, speech delays, and intellectual disability.

Sources:

• Chawarska, K., et al. (2024, June 19). Family History of Neurodevelopmental and Psychiatric Disorders and Developmental Outcomes in Younger Siblings of Children with Autism. Autism Research, 17(11), 1513-1523.
• Yale Child Study Center.
• NewsRx LLC.