Vanderbilt University
Jean & Alexander Heard Library Vanderbilt University

Younger siblings of children with autism: Cognitive, language, and social skills

DiscoverArchive/Manakin Repository

Younger siblings of children with autism: Cognitive, language, and social skills

Show full item record

Title: Younger siblings of children with autism: Cognitive, language, and social skills
Author: Schwartz, Alexa M.
Abstract: Autism has a known genetic linkage shown by increased prevalence of the syndrome in probands. Research has shows that those who do not necessarily fit the clinical diagnosis of autism may display sub-threshold traits, referred to as the broader phenotype of autism. This study looks at younger siblings of children with autism two times over the course of 1.5 years, with entry in the study at 12-23 months. This group is compared to a control group of siblings of typically developing children. 68 children participated in this study (42 male, 27 female) in two groups Sibs-ASD (n=41) and Sibs-TD (n=28). Groups are compared in language, cognitive, social performance and early predictive factors of later diagnosis. Results show that the Sibs-ASD show deficits at Time 1 in cognitive skill and social development, and have worse diagnostic outcomes than Sibs-TD. Within the sibs-ASD group females scored higher than males in the areas of language and cognitive ability. Early predictors of eventual autism spectrum diagnosis were found in lower performance on directing and requesting behaviors, expressive language and social skills.
Description: Senior Honors Thesis completed under the direction of Professor Wendy Stone
Subject: Sibling
Autism
Risk factors
LCSH Subject: Autism -- Research
Developmental disabilities -- Risk factors
Brothers and sisters
Autism -- Genetic aspects
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/1803/555
Date: 2007-04

Files in this item

Files Size Format View
Alexa Schwartz Honors Thesis.pdf 14.47Mb PDF View/Open

This item appears in the following Collection(s)

Show full item record

Search DiscoverArchive


Advanced Search

Browse

My Account

Statistics

Information