Socioeconomic status and intelligence quotient as predictors of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder and in their siblings

Autism. 2016 Nov;20(8):963-972. doi: 10.1177/1362361315617881. Epub 2016 Feb 5.

Abstract

Previous studies have shown high rates of comorbid disorders in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder, but failed to compare them with general population and few of them have identified predictors of comorbidity. This study compared the rates of psychiatric disorders in 50 children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder, 24 of their siblings, 32 controls from general population and 22 of their siblings. Children and adolescent with autism spectrum disorder and their siblings had higher rates of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder compared to controls. Lower socioeconomic status and intelligence quotient were the main risk factors. The contribution of socioeconomic status and intelligence quotient to increase the risk of developing comorbidity in autism spectrum disorder and psychopathology in their siblings deserves further study.

Keywords: autism spectrum disorder; comorbidity; intelligence quotient; siblings; socioeconomic status.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / complications*
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / psychology
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / complications*
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / psychology
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intelligence Tests / statistics & numerical data
  • Intelligence*
  • Male
  • Siblings / psychology*
  • Social Class*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires