TY - JOUR
T1 - Variability in adaptive behavior in autism
T2 - Evidence for the importance of family history
AU - Mazefsky, Carla A.
AU - Williams, Diane L.
AU - Minshew, Nancy J.
N1 - Funding Information:
This manuscript was supported by NICHD HD35469 (PI Minshew), A National Institutes of Health Collaborative Program of Excellence in Autism Study.
Funding Information:
The University of Pittsburgh Institutional Review Board approved this study. Procedures were fully explained to all participants and to their parents or guardians. Written informed consent and assent was obtained from parents and children, respectively. All participants were recruited through the Subject Core of the University of Pittsburgh Collaborative Program of Excellence in Autism funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (PI: Minshew).
PY - 2008/5
Y1 - 2008/5
N2 - Adaptive behavior in autism is highly variable and strongly related to prognosis. This study explored family history as a potential source of variability in adaptive behavior in autism. Participants included 77 individuals (mean age∈=∈18) with average or better intellectual ability and autism. Parents completed the Family History Interview about the presence of broader autism phenotype symptoms and major psychiatric disorders in first degree relatives. Adaptive behavior was assessed via the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS). Based on family history variables, age, and intelligence quotient (IQ), 87% of participants were correctly classified as having impaired or average VABS scores. Family history of depression and shyness accounted for the most variance in VABS scores, and they had the greatest influence on VABS Socialization scores in particular. Possible underlying mechanisms include genetics, psychosocial factors, and social resources. This study provides initial evidence of the importance of family history to adaptive behavior in autism and has implications for genetics and treatment.
AB - Adaptive behavior in autism is highly variable and strongly related to prognosis. This study explored family history as a potential source of variability in adaptive behavior in autism. Participants included 77 individuals (mean age∈=∈18) with average or better intellectual ability and autism. Parents completed the Family History Interview about the presence of broader autism phenotype symptoms and major psychiatric disorders in first degree relatives. Adaptive behavior was assessed via the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS). Based on family history variables, age, and intelligence quotient (IQ), 87% of participants were correctly classified as having impaired or average VABS scores. Family history of depression and shyness accounted for the most variance in VABS scores, and they had the greatest influence on VABS Socialization scores in particular. Possible underlying mechanisms include genetics, psychosocial factors, and social resources. This study provides initial evidence of the importance of family history to adaptive behavior in autism and has implications for genetics and treatment.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=41549089647&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=41549089647&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10802-007-9202-8
DO - 10.1007/s10802-007-9202-8
M3 - Article
C2 - 18188537
AN - SCOPUS:41549089647
SN - 0091-0627
VL - 36
SP - 591
EP - 599
JO - Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
JF - Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
IS - 4
ER -
