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Communication and Social Deficits in Relatives of Individuals with SLI and Relatives of Individuals with ASD

Abstract  

We investigate two aspects of the autism triad, communication and social difficulties, in relatives of specific language impairment
(SLI) probands (with and without additional autistic symptomatology) as compared to relatives of autism spectrum disorder
(ASD) and Down’s syndrome (DS) probands. Findings involving 726 first degree relatives of 85 SLI, 99 ASD and 36 DS probands
revealed a higher rate of communication difficulties in relatives of both subgroups of SLI probands compared to ASD and DS
relatives. Similar levels of social deficits were found in relatives of SLI + ASD and ASD probands. There was a higher than
would be expected rate (4.3 %) of ASD, particularly in siblings of SLI + ASD probands. Communication and social deficits appear
to breed true in SLI and ASD.

  • Content Type Journal Article
  • Category Original Paper
  • Pages 1-12
  • DOI 10.1007/s10803-012-1556-2
  • Authors
    • Andrew Pickles, Biostatistics, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, London, UK
    • Michelle C. St Clair, Developmental and Lifecourse Research Group, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
    • Gina Conti-Ramsden, Human Communication and Deafness, School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Ellen Wilkinson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL UK