Investigation of Broad Autism Phenotype Traits as Measured by the 26-Item Autism Quotient

2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 338-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Camodeca ◽  
Alexandra Hosack ◽  
Kylie Q. Todd
Keyword(s):  
Factor Model ◽  
Internal Consistency Reliability ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Broad Autism Phenotype ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Fit Indices ◽  
Autism Traits ◽  
Autism Quotient ◽  
Empathy Quotient ◽  
Autism Phenotype

The extant literature regarding psychometric properties of measures of subclinical adult autism traits is sparse. The current study investigated the validity and internal consistency reliability of the 26-item Autism Quotient (AQ-26), a self-report measure of autism traits, in a nonclinical young adult sample. Results indicated significantly better model fit with an 18-item measure (AQ-18), with optimal fit indices. Otherwise, AQ-18 and AQ-26 findings were similar and are discussed together. A three-factor model best fit the data. Scores demonstrated similar correlations in expected directions with the Empathy Quotient and Broad Autism Phenotype (BAP) Questionnaire. Expected differences were also observed when college major, gender, and BAP/non-BAP groups were compared. Despite somewhat weaker evidence for the 26/18-Details/Patterns factor, findings indicate that the AQ-26 and AQ-18 are promising measures of the three traits of subclinical autism spectrum symptomatology.

scholarly journals Construction and psychometric evaluation of a short form of the Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire

Psihologija ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 243-258
Author(s):  
Irena Stojkovic ◽  
Bojan Ducic ◽  
Svetlana Kaljaca ◽  
Mirjana Djordjevic
Keyword(s):  
Personality Traits ◽  
Factor Structure ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Discriminant Validity ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Broad Autism Phenotype ◽  
Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽  
Autism Phenotype

Broad Autism Phenotype (BAP) represents a group of personality traits expressed in limitations in social relations and pragmatic speech dimension, and rigid behavior. The Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire (BAPQ) measures personality traits which are crucial in defining the BAP. In the present research, three studies were conducted with the general aim to create a short form of the BAPQ. Study 1 was carried out to determine the factor structure of the BAPQ in a sample of 501 students and to select items for the short form. Obtained components: Aloofness, Rigidity, and Pragmatics, corresponding to the structure of the instrument proposed by authors, accounted for 26.61% of variance. Study 2 was conducted to examine factor structure of the BAPQ short form (BAPQ-SF), in a sample of 298 students. This solution explained 45.76% of the total variance. The aim of Study 3 was to determine psychometric characteristics of the BAPQ-SF in a sample of students (N = 294). Three-factor model of the BAPQ-SF was confirmed. Correlations of the BAPQ-SF with the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and the Delta 10 suggest convergent and discriminant validity of the BAPQ-SF.

Is the Progress of Children with ASD in a Behavioural Therapy Programme Influenced by Parents’ Hyper-Systemizing?

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 67-78
Author(s):  
Florina RAD ◽  
Ilinca MIHAILESCU ◽  
Alexandra BUICĂ ◽  
Mihaela STANCU ◽  
Emanuela ANDREI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Broad Autism Phenotype ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Behavioural Intervention ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
One Year ◽  
Therapy Programme ◽  
Autism Phenotype ◽  
The Way

"Background. In an attempt to find genetic explanations for the heterogeneous characteristics of autistic patients, research has shown that parents of autistic children are more likely than parents of neurotypical children to exhibit autistic-like characteristics, meeting the criteria for the so-called “broad autism phenotype” . Subclinical autistic traits have been identified in the families of children with ASD, in both fathers and mothers, but the way in which specific parental phenotypes influence the child’s pathology remains unclear. Methods. This study aimed to analyse the progress that a group of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) have made during a behavioural therapy programme and the way their evolution has been influenced by the parents’ systemizing level. 52 participants (aged 2 to 5 years old) diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and both of their parents were included in the study. The severity of ASD symptomatology was assessed using the ADOS-G instrument, at the beginning of the study (T0) and after one year of behavioural therapy as well (T1), while the parents’ systemizing level was evaluated using the self-report Systemizing Quotient (SQ). Results. The ADOS-G scores showed a significant improvement after one year of therapy in both Communication and Social Interaction domains. Only the fathers` systemizing level (SQF) had a significant effect on the ADOS-G scores after one year of therapy, with greater improvements reported for children having fathers with higher SQF scores. Conclusion. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to the empathizing-systemizing (E-S) theory. We consider that it’s particularly important to continue investigating the way that specific parents’ traits, including their systemizing level or their possible broad autism phenotype, can influence the severity of their children’s ASD or the outcome of the behavioural intervention."

Broad Autism Phenotype Traits in Parents of Children with Language Impairments: A Comparative Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Lavanya Kiruthika D. ◽  
Shivani Tiwari
Keyword(s):  
Language Impairment ◽  
Specific Language Impairment ◽  
Developmental Disorders ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Broad Autism Phenotype ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Pragmatic Language ◽  
Diagnostic Features ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Autism Phenotype

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The broad autism phenotype (BAP) comprises milder language and cognitive deficits seen in the nonautistic relatives of individuals with autism. BAP represents the range of individuals with a higher number of these characteristics than average but a lower number than would point to a diagnosis of autism. The Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire (BAPQ) is one of the efficient and reliable tools to explore and measure BAP traits, namely, aloofness, pragmatic language, and rigid personality, which represent a few of the diagnostic features of autism. Against the background of positive familial history and common causes across the developmental disorders, this study aimed to compare BAP traits in the parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), specific language impairment (SLI), and social communication disorder (SCD) by means of the BAPQ. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A total of 120 parents (60 mothers and 60 fathers) of children with ASD, SCD, and SLI participated in the study. All mothers filled in the self-report version and fathers filled in the informant version of BAPQ simultaneously in the communication intervention setting. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Obtained data was analyzed with the <i>t</i> test and ANOVA to compare self-ratings, informant ratings, and BAPQ scores across groups. The results of the study revealed no statistically significant difference for the overall BAPQ scores (except on the Pragmatic Language subscale). Furthermore, mothers in all 3 groups presented with BAP traits, with pragmatic language deficits being common. These observations point towards an overlap of BAP traits in the mothers of children with language disorders. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> These findings indicate the value of a detailed assessment of BAP in parents of children with developmental disorders.

The trend of association between autism traits in mothers and severity of autism symptomatology in children

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Asmita Karmakar ◽  
Manisha Bhattacharya ◽  
Jayeeta Adhya ◽  
Susmita Chatterjee ◽  
Atanu Kumar Dogra
Keyword(s):  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Genetic Liability ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Autism Traits ◽  
Autism Symptomatology ◽  
Autism Phenotype ◽  
Shared Genetic

Purpose Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are heterogeneous disorders, and heterogeneity lies both at genetic and phenotypic levels. To better understand the etiology and pathway that may contribute to autism symptomatology, it is important to study milder expressions of autism characteristics – autistic traits or milder expressions of autism phenotype, especially in intergenerational context. This study aims to see the trend of association, if any, between child autism symptom and mothers’ autism phenotype as well as mothers’ theory of mind and to see if mothers’ theory of mind was associated with their own autistic traits. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 96 mothers of children with varying symptom severity of autism (mild, moderate and severe) using Autism Spectrum Quotient and faux pas recognition test. Analysis of variance, trend analysis and t-test were done. Findings Results showed a linear trend of relationship between mothers’ autism phenotype and child symptom severity. However, the groups did not have significant differences in theory of mind. Only a few components of theory of mind were found to be associated with autistic traits. These findings question the prevailing idea that theory of mind can be a reliable endophenotype of autism. Research limitations/implications There has been a lack of research assessing the possible link between parents’ autism phenotype and symptom severity of ASD children. This study is a preliminary step towards that direction. This study indicates a probability of shared genetic liability between mothers and offspring, which would have important consequences for understanding the mechanisms that lead to autism. Practical implications This study offers implications for treatment planning of those with clinical ASD. An awareness of parental factors is critical for any holistic intervention plan when a family seeks treatment for their child. This study suggests that while individualising interventions, clinicians may consider possible presence of high levels of autistic traits and related cognitive features present in the probands’ parents. Originality/value There has been lack of research assessing the possible link between parents’ autism phenotype and symptom severity of ASD children. This study, even though preliminary, is a step towards that direction. This study suggests that autism traits might be influenced by common genetic variation and indicates a probability of shared genetic liability between mothers and offspring, which would have important consequences for understanding the mechanisms that lead to autism.

Quantity-based reasoning in the broader autism phenotype: A web-based study

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 1373-1403 ◽  
Author(s):  
BOB VAN TIEL ◽  
MIKHAIL KISSINE
Keyword(s):  
Broader Autism Phenotype ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽  
Counterfactual Reasoning ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Autism Quotient ◽  
Pragmatic Inference ◽  
Autism Phenotype

ABSTRACTWe conducted a web-based study investigating whether the probability of deriving four types of pragmatic inferences depends on the degree to which one has traits associated with the autism spectrum, as measured by the autism spectrum quotient test (Baron-Cohen, Wheelwright, Skinner, Martin, & Clubley, 2001). In line with previous research, we show that, independently of their autism spectrum quotient, participants are likely to derive those pragmatic inferences that can be derived by reasoning solely about alternatives that the speaker could have used. However, if the derivation of the pragmatic inference draws upon more complex counterfactual reasoning about what the speaker could have said, the probability that it is derived decreases significantly with one’s autism quotient. We discuss the consequences for theories of pragmatics in autism and for linguistic theorizing in general.

The Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire: Mothers Versus Fathers of Children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder

2011 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 837-846 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ifat Seidman ◽  
Nurit Yirmiya ◽  
Shahaf Milshtein ◽  
Richard P. Ebstein ◽  
Shlomit Levi
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Broad Autism Phenotype ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Phenotype

scholarly journals Tracing Autism Traits in Large Multiplex Families to Identify Endophenotypes of the Broader Autism Phenotype

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (21) ◽  
pp. 7965
Author(s):  
Krysta J. Trevis ◽  
Natasha J. Brown ◽  
Cherie C. Green ◽  
Paul J. Lockhart ◽  
Tarishi Desai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Adaptive Functioning ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Broader Autism Phenotype ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Autism Traits ◽  
Multiplex Families ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Autism Phenotype

Families comprising many individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) may carry a dominant predisposing mutation. We implemented rigorous phenotyping of the “Broader Autism Phenotype” (BAP) in large multiplex ASD families using a novel endophenotype approach for the identification and characterisation of distinct BAP endophenotypes. We evaluated ASD/BAP features using standardised tests and a semi-structured interview to assess social, intellectual, executive and adaptive functioning in 110 individuals, including two large multiplex families (Family A: 30; Family B: 35) and an independent sample of small families (n = 45). Our protocol identified four distinct psychological endophenotypes of the BAP that were evident across these independent samples, and showed high sensitivity (97%) and specificity (82%) for individuals classified with the BAP. Patterns of inheritance of identified endophenotypes varied between the two large multiplex families, supporting their utility for identifying genes in ASD.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document