Parental autistic traits and neurodevelopmental outcomes in children with autism spectrum disorder: a family phenotype perspective.

BACKGROUND

Parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often exhibit subclinical autistic traits, known as the Broad Autism Phenotype (BAP). While BAP is recognized as a familial characteristic associated with ASD, limited evidence exists regarding how specific parental traits relate to children's behavioral, adaptive, and developmental outcomes in low- and middle-income clinical settings. Understanding these associations may be relevant for developmental and neurorehabilitation contexts in which parent - child interaction plays an important role in the child's learning environment.

METHODS

This descriptive cross-sectional study included 95 children (aged 2-12 years) newly diagnosed with ASD and both biological parents, recruited from a tertiary Child Development Center. Child autism severity was assessed using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale-2 (CARS-2); adaptive functioning using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales - II (VABS-II); behavioral problems using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL); and developmental level using the Developmental Profile-3. Parental autistic traits were measured using the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ). Correlation and regression analyses were used to examine associations between parental AQ traits and child outcomes.

RESULTS

BAP (AQ ≥ 23) was present in 50% of mothers and 47% of fathers. Total parental AQ scores were not associated with child autism severity. However, higher parental communication-trait scores were associated with greater externalizing behavior in children (p < .05). Certain parental AQ subdomains, particularly communication and attention-to-detail traits, showed modest negative correlations with children's motor functioning and developmental level. In multivariable analysis, paternal communication traits remained independently associated with poorer motor skills (β =  -0.276, p = .034).

CONCLUSIONS

Parental BAP traits, particularly those related to communication and social reciprocity, may be associated with variability in behavioral, motor, and developmental outcomes in children with ASD. Although parental traits were not associated with autism severity, these findings suggest that considering family phenotype may be relevant when examining child developmental profiles within family-centered neurodevelopmental and rehabilitation frameworks. Further longitudinal research is needed to clarify the nature and direction of these relationships.