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Outcomes in Adult Life Among Siblings of Individuals with Autism

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Abstract

Little is known about adult siblings of individuals with autism. We report on cognitive, social and mental health outcomes in 87 adult siblings (mean age 39 years). When younger all had been assessed either as being “unaffected” by autism (n = 69) or as meeting criteria for the “Broader Autism Phenotype” (BAP, n = 18). As adults, all scored within the average range on tests of intelligence, numeracy and literacy. “Unaffected” siblings were functioning well in terms of jobs, independence and social relationships. Levels of social relationships and employment were significantly lower in the BAP group; autism traits and mental health problems were significantly higher. The data suggest that the “broader autism phenotype” is a meaningful concept but more sensitive diagnostic measures are required.

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Acknowledgments

We are most grateful to all the families who gave so generously of their time during the course of the study; to the National Autistic Society who assisted with tracing and to the Nuffield Foundation who generously funded the research.

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Author notes

  1. Sarah Savage

    Present address: Goldman Sachs, London, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College, London, UK

    Patricia Howlin, Philippa Moss & Sarah Savage

  2. Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

    Patricia Howlin

  3. Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College, London, UK

    Patrick Bolton & Michael Rutter

  4. Department of Clinical Psychology, University College London, London, UK

    Philippa Moss

  5. Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College, Denmark Hill, London, SE58AF, UK

    Patricia Howlin

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  1. Patricia Howlin
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  2. Philippa Moss
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Correspondence to Patricia Howlin.

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Patricia Howlin and Philippa Moss are joint first authors.

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Howlin, P., Moss, P., Savage, S. et al. Outcomes in Adult Life Among Siblings of Individuals with Autism. J Autism Dev Disord 45, 707–718 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2224-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2224-5

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