Cognitive and verbal abilities of 24- to 36-month-old siblings of children with autism.
The cognitive and language skills of 30 siblings of children with autism (SIBS-A) and 30 siblings of typically developing children (SIBS-TD) were compared. Non-significant group differences emerged for cognition at both ages. At 24 months, significantly more SIBS-A demonstrated language scores one or two standard deviations below the mean compared to SIBS-TD. At 36 months, the groups differed significantly in receptive language, and more SIBS-A displayed receptive and expressive difficulties compared to SIBS-TD. Six SIBS-A (including one diagnosed with autism) revealed language scores more than two standard deviations below the mean at both ages, a pattern not seen in the SIBS-TD. Results are discussed in reference to language difficulties in autism spectrum disorders and the genetic liability for autism.
Yirmiya
Nurit
N
Department of Psychology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, 91905, Israel. NuritYirmiya@huji.ac.il
Gamliel
Ifat
I
Shaked
Michal
M
Sigman
Marian
M
D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D035781:Siblings; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014705:Verbal Behavior