title: Temperament and its Association with Autism Symptoms in a High-risk Population.
abstract: Temperament was investigated in a group of high-risk infants (N = 383; 45 % girls) who had an older sibling with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and in community control infants (N = 162; 46 % girls) with no family history of ASD (low-risk). The infants were assessed at age 12 months using the Infant Behavior Questionnaire, and at 24 months using the Toddler Behavior Assessment Questionnaire. At 36 months, an independent blind diagnostic assessment for ASD was conducted using the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). The results indicate not only differences in temperament traits between the high- and low-risk groups, but also differences in the structure of higher-order temperament factors. The results support the importance of early reactive temperament in the development of Effortful Control in the high-risk sample. Furthermore, Effortful Control at 24 months appears to play a critical role in predicting later ASD symptoms (at 36 months). Taken together, these findings support the use of early temperament as an endophenotype for ASD.
authors: Psychology Department, Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick, E4L 1C7, Canada. ngaron@mta.ca.
authors: Nancy
authors: N
authors: Garon
authors: Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.|Autism Research Centre, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
authors: Lonnie
authors: L
authors: Zwaigenbaum
authors: Dalhousie University/IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Bryson
authors: Dalhousie University/IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
authors: Isabel M
authors: IM
authors: Smith
authors: Bloorview Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.|University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Jessica
authors: J
authors: Brian
authors: Kinark Child and Family Services, Markham, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Caroline
authors: C
authors: Roncadin
authors: University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Tracy
authors: T
authors: Vaillancourt
authors: Dalhousie University/IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
authors: Vickie
authors: V
authors: Armstrong
authors: Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
authors: Lori-Ann R
authors: LA
authors: Sacrey
authors: University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.|The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Wendy
authors: W
authors: Roberts
mesh_terms: D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D058068:Endophenotypes; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018730:Infant Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D012306:Risk; D000068356:Self-Control; D013694:Temperament / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Autism spectrum disorder; Endophenotype; Regulation; Temperament