Project Description

Challenge

Children on the autism spectrum commonly face learning and attention challenges, but the relationships between these deficits and ASD’s core impairments are poorly understood. If we knew more about the predictors of learning and attention disorders in people with ASD, we would gain a better idea of why they arise and how to help prevent or mitigate them.

Project Summary

KBHN studied a cohort of children from across the country who had older siblings with Autism. Kids with this type of family history are themselves at higher-than-average risk of developing ASD and related challenges. In this particular group, roughly 20 percent met the criteria for an ASD diagnosis by age three, while another 25 percent show signs of other kinds of atypical development. As the cohort aged and progressed through school, network researchers collected data on their executive function, academic achievement and intellectual skills.

Result

The researchers detected learning disabilities in math and reading. They also found higher rates of difficulty with their ability to recognize and analyze sounds, and the ability to hold onto speech sounds. In related research, elevated rates of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as well as mental health challenges, were identified. As well, some of these siblings were ultimately diagnosed with ASD themselves even though they did not meet the criteria during the preschool years. These findings highlighted the importance of monitoring and supporting the siblings of people with ASD throughout childhood and beyond, as they are at high risk of a broad range of learning, developmental and mental health challenges.

Investigators continue to examine the data about this high-risk group to find out if there are significant associations between learning/attention challenges and factors such as sex, parental education or early language deficits. They will also compare it to similar indices collected by KBHN’s fetal alcohol spectrum disorder team to see if children with FASD have any overlapping difficulties. Both lines of inquiry may shed light on the origins of these comorbidities.

Funding

This subproject was part of the larger “ASD Program: Optimizing Development and Outcome in Children and Youth.” The ASD program was funded a total of $1,142,681 from the Kids Brain Health Network and $794,987 from participating partners.

Team

Principal Investigators

Jessica Brian, University of Toronto
Lonnie Zwaigenbaum, University of Alberta

Co-Investigators

Susan Bryson, Dalhousie University
Isabel Smith, Dalhousie University

Partners

Baby Siblings Research Consortium (Autism Science Foundation)