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Minimal Risk of Internalizing Problems in Typically-Developing Siblings of Children with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Abstract

We examined anxiety and depression clinical symptom levels in 42 typically-developing (TD) siblings of children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (HFASD), compared to 42 TD siblings of TD children, matched on age, ethnicity, and gender. Participants were between the ages of 6 and 16. Groups were compared using the parent-report and child self-report versions of the Behavior Assessment System for Children, Second Edition, anxiety and depression clinical scales. Within-group differences were examined for parent versus child ratings. Multivariate procedures did not support clinically elevated levels of internalizing problems in siblings of children with HFASD. Results from both sources were consistent with the overall finding. The findings do not support an increased need for targeted intervention, though clinical and school-based practitioners should attend to clinical warning signs if presented.

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Acknowledgments

The research reported in this article was supported by Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences Grants R324A130216 and R324A080136, and research grants from the John R. Oishei Foundation and the Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation. Findings and conclusions are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funding agencies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Autism Research, Canisius College, 2001 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14208, USA

    Jonathan D. Rodgers, Ashley Warhol, Christin A. McDonald, Marcus L. Thomeer & Christopher Lopata

  2. Abilities First, Poughkeepsie, NY, USA

    Jeffery D. Fox

  3. University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA

    Ashley M. Darrow, Amy L. Szyszkowski & Alyssa A. Biscotto

  4. Niagara University, Lewiston, NY, USA

    Tesla Sheffield

Authors
  1. Jonathan D. Rodgers
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  2. Ashley Warhol
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  3. Jeffery D. Fox
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  4. Christin A. McDonald
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  5. Marcus L. Thomeer
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  6. Christopher Lopata
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  7. Ashley M. Darrow
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  8. Amy L. Szyszkowski
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  9. Alyssa A. Biscotto
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  10. Tesla Sheffield
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Correspondence to Jonathan D. Rodgers.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in this study.

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Rodgers, J.D., Warhol, A., Fox, J.D. et al. Minimal Risk of Internalizing Problems in Typically-Developing Siblings of Children with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Child Fam Stud 25, 2554–2561 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-016-0407-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-016-0407-8

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