A recent study in the journal Autism Research examined how family history of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders impacts the developmental outcomes of younger siblings of children with autism. The study found that siblings with a family history of anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, and intellectual disabilities had different phenotypic outcomes. For example, anxiety disorders were associated with higher social affect scores, while intellectual disabilities were linked to lower verbal and nonverbal IQ scores. Family history explained 5% to 17% of the variability in outcomes, with some disorders correlating with lower functioning levels and others with more optimal outcomes. This research highlights the importance of considering family history in understanding developmental outcomes in siblings of children with autism.
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Family history of mental health disorders linked to developmental outcomes in siblings of autistic children
