Perceptual processing links autism and synesthesia: a twin study

Background. Synesthesia occurs more commonly in individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and is associated with autistic traits and autism-related perceptual processing characteristics, including a more detail-focused attentional style and altered sensory sensitivity. Furthermore, autistic traits and autism-like sensory sensitivity show a synesthesia-dosage effect, since they increase with the amount of synesthesia types in synesthetes and with the degree of synesthesia (how consistently colors are associated with graphemes) in non-synesthetes.Methods. Here we investigated a predominantly non-synesthetic twin sample, enriched for ASC and other neurodevelopmental disorders (n=65, 14-34 years, 60% female). We modelled the linear relationships between the degree of synesthesia and autistic traits, sensory sensitivity, and visual perception, both within-twin pairs (22 pairs) where all factors shared by twins are implicitly controlled (including 50-100% genetics), and across the entire cohort.Results. Our results indicate that the degree of synesthesia is associated with autistic traits only within the attention to details domain and with sensory hyper-, but not hypo-sensitivity. These associations were stronger within-twin pairs compared to across the sample. Further, twins with a higher degree of synesthesia were better than their co-twins in identifying fragmented images in the Fragmented Pictures Test (FPT).Conclusions. This study is the first twin study on the association between synesthesia and autism-related perceptual and clinical features, and the results suggest that a twin design can be more sensitive for detecting these associations. Consistent with previous findings, the results support an association between the degree of synesthesia and autism-related perceptual features, while utilizing a different self-report measure for sensory sensitivity. The novel finding of enhanced feature integration in the FPT in twins with a higher degree of synesthesia challenges the view of a generally more detail-focused attentional style in synesthesia and might be related to enhanced memory or mental imagery in more synesthetic individuals.

Download Full-text

The Comprehensive Autistic Trait Inventory (CATI): development and validation of a new measure of autistic traits in the general population

Molecular Autism ◽

10.1186/s13229-021-00445-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Michael C. W. English ◽

Gilles E. Gignac ◽

Troy A. W. Visser ◽

Andrew J. O. Whitehouse ◽

James T. Enns ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Factor Analysis ◽

General Population ◽

Measurement Invariance ◽

High Reliability ◽

Predictive Ability ◽

Autistic Traits ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽

Sensory Sensitivity ◽

Wide Range

Abstract Background Traits and characteristics qualitatively similar to those seen in diagnosed autism spectrum disorder can be found to varying degrees in the general population. To measure these traits and facilitate their use in autism research, several questionnaires have been developed that provide broad measures of autistic traits [e.g. Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ), Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire (BAPQ)]. However, since their development, our understanding of autism has grown considerably, and it is arguable that existing measures do not provide an ideal representation of the trait dimensions currently associated with autism. Our aim was to create a new measure of autistic traits that reflects our current understanding of autism, the Comprehensive Autism Trait Inventory (CATI). Methods In Study 1, 107 pilot items were administered to 1119 individuals in the general population and exploratory factor analysis of responses used to create the 42-item CATI comprising six subscales: Social Interactions, Communication, Social Camouflage, Repetitive Behaviours, Cognitive Rigidity, and Sensory Sensitivity. In Study 2, the CATI was administered to 1068 new individuals and confirmatory factor analysis used to verify the factor structure. The AQ and BAPQ were administered to validate the CATI, and additional autistic participants were recruited to compare the predictive ability of the measures. In Study 3, to validate the CATI subscales, the CATI was administered to 195 new individuals along with existing valid measures qualitatively similar to each CATI subscale. Results The CATI showed convergent validity at both the total-scale (r ≥ .79) and subscale level (r ≥ .68). The CATI also showed superior internal reliability for total-scale scores (α = .95) relative to the AQ (α = .90) and BAPQ (α = .94), consistently high reliability for subscales (α > .81), greater predictive ability for classifying autism (Youden’s Index = .62 vs .56–.59), and demonstrated measurement invariance for sex. Limitations Analyses of predictive ability for classifying autism depended upon self-reported diagnosis or identification of autism. The autistic sample was not large enough to test measurement invariance of autism diagnosis. Conclusions The CATI is a reliable and economical new measure that provides observations across a wide range of trait dimensions associated with autism, potentially precluding the need to administer multiple measures, and to our knowledge, the CATI is also the first broad measure of autistic traits to have dedicated subscales for social camouflage and sensory sensitivity.

Download Full-text

Examining the association between childhood autistic traits and adolescent hypomania: a longitudinal twin study

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291721000374 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Mark J. Taylor ◽

Angelica Ronald ◽

Joanna Martin ◽

Sebastian Lundström ◽

Georgina M. Hosang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Age Of Onset ◽

Large Population ◽

Autistic Traits ◽

Evidence Base ◽

Population Based ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Autistic Trait ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Twin Design ◽

Longitudinal Twin Study

Abstract Background There is evidence that autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) co-occur with bipolar disorder (BD) relatively frequently. Individuals with BD often report symptoms of mania and hypomania during adolescence, prior to the age of onset for BD. It is unknown whether these symptoms are associated with ASDs. We examined whether diagnoses of ASDs and autistic traits were associated with hypomania in a large, population-based Swedish twin sample. Methods Parental structured interviews assessed autistic traits, and were used to assign screening diagnoses of ASDs, when twins were aged 9 or 12 (N = 13 533 pairs). Parents then completed questionnaires assessing hypomania when the twins were aged 15 and 18 (N = 3852 pairs at age 15, and 3013 pairs at age 18). After investigating the phenotypic associations between these measures, we used the classical twin design to test whether genetic and environmental influences on autistic traits influence variation in adolescent hypomania. Results Autistic traits and ASD diagnoses in childhood were associated with elevated scores on the measures of adolescent hypomania. Twin analyses indicated that 6–9% of the variance in hypomania was explained by genetic influences that were shared with autistic traits in childhood. When repeating these analyses for specific autistic trait domains, we found a stronger association between social interaction difficulties and hypomania than for other autistic trait domains. Conclusions These results indicate a genetic link between autistic traits and hypomania in adolescence. This adds to the growing evidence base of genetic factors associated with ASDs showing links with psychiatric outcomes across childhood and into adulthood.

Download Full-text

Menstruation and menopause in autistic adults: Periods of importance?

Autism ◽

10.1177/13623613211059721 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 136236132110597

Author(s):

Annabeth P Groenman ◽

Carolien Torenvliet ◽

Tulsi A Radhoe ◽

Joost A Agelink van Rentergem ◽

Hilde M Geurts

Keyword(s):

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Autistic Traits ◽

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Autism Spectrum Conditions ◽

Autism Spectrum Condition ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Male Condition ◽

Spectrum Condition

Autism spectrum conditions were once seen as a predominantly male condition. This has caused a paucity of information on common events in the lives of women, such as menstruation and menopause. Some smaller studies indicate that autistic women might suffer from increased difficulties surrounding these events. This study aims to investigate whether autistic women experience more frequent premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and increased complaints surrounding menopause. In partly overlapping samples (premenstrual dysphoric disorder, n = 70, nASC = 28, ncomparisons = 42; menopause, n = 65, nASC = 30, ncomparisons = 35), we investigated premenstrual dysphoric disorder prevalence and menopausal complaints. In 70 individuals, we did not find an increased prevalence of premenstrual dysphoric disorder in autistic women (14.3%) compared with non-autistic women (9.5%). In 65 women aged 40 years and above, we found that autistic women did experience higher levels of menopausal complaints. In autistic women, higher menopausal complaints were associated with higher levels of depression and autistic traits. In non-autistic women, menopausal complaints were associated with increased inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity (i.e. attention deficit hyperactivity disorder traits), and depression. With this work, we show the important role that major reproductive milestones can have in an autistic woman’s life. Lay abstract Autism spectrum conditions were once seen as a predominantly male condition, but this has caused research to have little focus on women. Therefore, little is known about menstruation and menopause in autism spectrum conditions. Some smaller studies indicate that autistic individuals might suffer from increased difficulties surrounding these events. This study aimed to investigate whether autistic women experience more frequent premenstrual dysphoric disorder, causing extreme physical, emotional, and functional impairment. In a partly overlapping sample, we also examined whether women with autism spectrum condition experience increased complaints surrounding menopause. We did not find an increased prevalence of premenstrual dysphoric disorder in autism spectrum conditions (14.3%) compared with non-autistic women (9.5%). Those with autism spectrum conditions did experience increased menopausal complaints. These menopausal complaints were associated with higher levels of depression and autistic traits. In non-autistic women, menopausal complaints were associated with increased inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity (i.e. attention deficit hyperactivity disorder traits), and depression. With this work, we show the important role that major reproductive milestones can have in an autistic woman’s life.

Download Full-text

The social brain in female autism: a structural imaging study of twins

Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience ◽

10.1093/scan/nsaa064 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (4) ◽

pp. 423-436

Author(s):

Élodie Cauvet ◽

Annelies van’t Westeinde ◽

Roberto Toro ◽

Ralf Kuja-Halkola ◽

Janina Neufeld ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Social Cognition ◽

Brain Structure ◽

Imaging Study ◽

Autistic Traits ◽

Brain Regions ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Social Brain ◽

Twin Design ◽

The Social

Abstract A female advantage in social cognition (SoC) might contribute to women’s underrepresentation in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The latter could be underpinned by sex differences in social brain structure. This study investigated the relationship between structural social brain networks and SoC in females and males in relation to ASD and autistic traits in twins. We used a co-twin design in 77 twin pairs (39 female) aged 12.5 to 31.0 years. Twin pairs were discordant or concordant for ASD or autistic traits, discordant or concordant for other neurodevelopmental disorders or concordant for neurotypical development. They underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging and were assessed for SoC using the naturalistic Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition. Autistic traits predicted reduced SoC capacities predominantly in male twins, despite a comparable extent of autistic traits in each sex, although the association between SoC and autistic traits did not differ significantly between the sexes. Consistently, within-pair associations between SoC and social brain structure revealed that lower SoC ability was associated with increased cortical thickness of several brain regions, particularly in males. Our findings confirm the notion that sex differences in SoC in association with ASD are underpinned by sex differences in brain structure.

Download Full-text

Development and Validation of the Suicide Behaviours Questionnaire – Autism Spectrum Conditions in Autistic, Possibly Autistic and Non-Autistic Adults.

10.21203/rs.3.rs-48455/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Sarah Cassidy ◽

Louise Bradley ◽

Heather Cogger-Ward ◽

Jacqui Rodgers

Keyword(s):

Assessment Tool ◽

Autistic Traits ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Assessment Tools ◽

Self Report ◽

Measurement Properties ◽

Autism Spectrum Conditions ◽

Autistic People ◽

Autistic Adults ◽

Development And Validation

Abstract Background: Autistic people and those with high autistic traits are at high risk of experiencing suicidality. Yet, there are no suicidality assessment tools developed or validated for these groups.Methods: A widely used and validated suicidality assessment tool developed for the general population (SBQ-R), was adapted using feedback from autistic adults. The adapted tool was refined through 9 interviews, and an online survey with 251 autistic adults, to establish clarity and relevance of the items. Subsequently, 308 autistic, 113 possibly autistic, and 268 non-autistic adults completed the adapted tool online, alongside self-report measures of autistic traits (AQ), camouflaging autistic traits (CAT-Q), depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (ASA-A), thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness (INQ-15), lifetime non-suicidal self-injury, and the original version of the suicidality assessment tool (SBQ-R). Analyses explored the appropriateness and measurement properties of the adapted tool between the groups.Results: There was evidence in support of content validity, structural validity, internal consistency, convergent and divergent validity, test retest validity, sensitivity and specificity (for distinguishing those with or without lifetime experience of suicide attempt), and hypothesis testing of the adapted tool (SBQ-ASC) in each group. The structure of the SBQ-ASC was equivalent between autistic and possibly autistic adults, regardless of gender, or use of visual aids to help quantify abstract rating scales.Limitations: The samples involved in the development and validation of the adapted tool were largely female, and largely diagnosed as autistic in adulthood, which is not representative of the wider autistic population. The SBQ-ASC has been developed for use in research and is not recommended to assess risk of future suicide attempts and/or self-harm.Conclusions: The SBQ-ASC is a brief self-report suicidality assessment tool, developed and validated with and for autistic adults, without co-occurring intellectual disability. The SBQ-ASC is appropriate for use in research to identify suicidal thoughts and behaviours in autistic and possibly autistic people, and model associations with risk and protective factors.

Download Full-text

Validating Three Common Self-Report Measures of Social Functioning: Implications for Autism Research

10.31234/osf.io/b3nat ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Elizabeth A. Kaplan-Kahn ◽

Natalie Russo ◽

Grace Iarocci

Keyword(s):

Social Functioning ◽

Convergent Validity ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Self Report ◽

Diagnostic Feature ◽

Social Responsiveness ◽

Latent Constructs ◽

Diagnostic Labels ◽

The Social ◽

Spectrum Condition

Social functioning difficulties are a core diagnostic feature of autism spectrum condition (ASC) and are commonly assessed in ASC research. Many measures have been created to assess the various dimensions of social functioning; thus, it is important to evaluate how each scale captures these latent constructs in order to integrate results from studies using different measures. The current brief report assessed the convergent validity (at the subscale level) of three commonly used social functioning scales in ASC research: The Autism Quotient, the Multidimensional Social Competence Scale, and the Social Responsiveness Scale. Amongst a sample of nonclinical adults, the scales showed robust convergent validity between theoretically related subscales, indicating sensitivity to variation in social functioning abilities across diagnostic labels.

Download Full-text

A-203 Method Matters: Measures of Social Communication Ability Disagree in Women with Autistic Traits

Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology ◽

10.1093/arclin/acaa068.203 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 35 (6) ◽

pp. 998-998

Author(s):

Beck J ◽

South M ◽

Gabrielsen T ◽

Cox J ◽

Lundwall R

Keyword(s):

Social Communication ◽

Autistic Traits ◽

Poor Performance ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Self Report ◽

University Counseling Center ◽

Severe Impairment ◽

Social Difficulties ◽

Communication Ability ◽

Multi Method Approach

Abstract Objective Increasing evidence suggests that many women with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be undiagnosed and thus denied access to supports and interventions. Evaluating suspected ASD involves assessing social communication abilities, and many potentially helpful tools exist. We sought to compare various social communication measures (self-report, clinician-rated, and behavioral) in a sample of women with autistic traits. Method Our sample includes women without intellectual impairment (N = 66; age M = 25 years; IQ M = 114; 63 White) who reported impairing symptoms associated with ASD (BAPQ total score > 3). One third (n = 22) had been diagnosed with ASD. Participants were recruited through local clinics, a university counseling center, and social media. Participants completed the SRS-2 (self-report), ADOS-2 (clinician rating of autistic traits), and TASIT-S (video-based test of social cognition). Results As expected, women with a previous diagnosis of ASD showed significantly more social communication difficulties on the ADOS-2, t(64) = −4.88, p < .001, and TASIT-S, t(64) = 2.23, p = .03. Observable social difficulties on the ADOS-2 were significantly associated with poor performance on the TASIT-S (rS = −.27, p = .03). However, women with an ASD diagnosis did not report more social communication problems on the SRS-2, and SRS-2 scores were not associated with ADOS-2 or TASIT-S scores. Conclusions These findings highlight the importance of using a multi-method approach when assessing social communication abilities in women with suspected autism, as self-report measures may not discriminate well mild from more severe impairment, and may disagree with clinician ratings and/or behavioral measures.

Download Full-text

Co-Occurrence of ASD and ADHD Traits in an Adult Population

Journal of Attention Disorders ◽

10.1177/1087054717720720 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 23 (12) ◽

pp. 1407-1415 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Maria Panagiotidi ◽

Paul G. Overton ◽

Tom Stafford

Keyword(s):

General Population ◽

Adult Adhd ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Adult Population ◽

Autistic Traits ◽

Population Based ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Self Report ◽

Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽

Common Etiology

Objective: ADHD and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be viewed as the extreme end of traits found in the general population. Clinical and genetic studies suggest that ADHD and ASD often co-occur and share genetic susceptibility. The aim of this study was to examine co-occurrence of ADHD and ASD traits in the general population. Method: In total, 334 participants were recruited from a population-based sample. Four questionnaires assessing current and retrospective ADHD and ASD traits were administered online: the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) Symptom Checklist, the Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS-25), the Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire (BAPQ), and the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ). Results: A significant correlation was found between ADHD and autistic traits. In particular, higher inattention and overall ADHD scores were associated with self-reported deficits in communication and social skills. Conclusion: Our findings are similar to results from studies on clinical populations, suggesting that ADHD and ASD might share common etiology.

Download Full-text

A co-twin-control study of altered sensory processing in autism

Autism ◽

10.1177/1362361321991255 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 136236132199125

Author(s):

Janina Neufeld ◽

Mark J Taylor ◽

Karl Lundin Remnélius ◽

Johan Isaksson ◽

Paul Lichtenstein ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Sensory Processing ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Autistic Traits ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Psychiatric Diagnoses ◽

Sensory Sensitivity ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder is associated with sensory processing alterations, such as sensory hyper- and hypo-responsiveness. Twin studies are scarce in this field, but they are necessary in order to disentangle the genetic and environmental contributions to this association. Furthermore, it is unclear how different neurodevelopmental/psychiatric conditions contribute to altering sensory processing. We investigated the association between autistic traits/autism spectrum disorder diagnosis and sensory processing alterations in twins ( N = 269), using the adult/adolescent sensory profile, which differentiates four sub-domains: Low Registration, Sensation Seeking, Sensory Sensitivity, and Sensation Avoiding. While the associations between autistic traits and Low Registration and Sensation Avoiding persisted within monozygotic (genetically identical) twins, Sensory Sensitivity was only associated with autistic traits within dizygotic twins. In multivariate analyses with different neurodevelopmental/psychiatric diagnoses as predictor variables, autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder were the strongest predictors for two adult/adolescent sensory profile sub-domains each. The results suggest that the association between autistic traits and Sensory Sensitivity is influenced by genetics while non-shared environmental factors influence the associations between autistic traits and Low Registration and Sensation Avoiding. They further indicate that altered sensory processing is not specific to autism spectrum disorder, while autism spectrum disorder is a strong predictor of certain sensory processing alterations, even when controlling for other (comorbid) neurodevelopmental/psychiatric conditions. Lay abstract Individuals diagnosed with autism often describe that they process sensory information differently from others, and many experience sensory issues as problematic. For instance, an increased sensitivity to smells or sounds can make participating in social settings challenging. While sensory issues are now part of the diagnostic criteria for autism, they also co-occur with other psychiatric diagnoses such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and anxiety disorders. It is unclear to what extent the relationship between autism and alterations in sensory processing are due to genetics or environment. In addition, more research is needed on how autism, as compared to other diagnoses, is associated with sensory issues. Using a twin study, we found that genetic factors influenced self-reported reactivity to sensory stimuli in autism while environmental factors influenced other sensory issues (e.g. difficulties in detecting or differentiating sensory input). Hence, sensory hyper-reactivity might be an early onset core feature of autism, while other domains of alterations in sensory processing might develop later, influenced by the environment. Moreover, autism was more strongly associated with sensory issues related to increased sensitivity/reactivity as compared to other psychiatric diagnoses. However, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder was more strongly related to deficits in detecting/differentiating sensory stimuli and with an increased drive to seek sensory input. Our results indicate that sensory issues are not specific to autism, but that some aspects of altered sensory processing are more relevant for autism than for other diagnoses.

Download Full-text

Sensory Sensitivity and Intolerance of Uncertainty Influence Anxiety in Autistic Adults

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.731753 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Karys M. Normansell-Mossa ◽

D. Nicholas Top ◽

Nicholas Russell ◽

Mark Freeston ◽

Jacqui Rodgers ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intolerance Of Uncertainty ◽

Autistic Traits ◽

Model Fit ◽

Self Report ◽

Sensory Sensitivity ◽

Neurodevelopmental Model ◽

Path Analyses ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Autistic Adults

Several models of anxiety in autistic adults have focused on the role of intolerance of uncertainty which has biological and evolutionary bases, as a cognitive explanation for the high prevalence of anxiety in autism. This framework suggests that all people are born with a healthy level of intolerance of uncertainty, and as we develop, this intolerance is lessened as we learn when situations are safe and begin to understand and manage the uncertainty. This process of learning about managing uncertainty does not happen in the same way in those who are high in autistic traits, which could be the reason for the high levels of anxiety symptoms commonly seen in this population. We examined archival data of 199 non-autistic and 55 autistic adults from prior studies in which we collected self-report measures of autistic traits, intolerance of uncertainty, sensory processing, and anxiety. We conducted two path analyses to examine the role of intolerance of uncertainty in anxiety in autistic adults. The first model tested the idea that intolerance of uncertainty, an evolutionary phenomenon common for all people, could explain some of the cognitive aspects of anxiety in autism. The second model suggests that primary neurodevelopmental differences associated with autistic traits underlie the sensory sensitivity and sensory seeking behaviors, which in turn increase intolerance of uncertainty and subsequent anxiety. We found that the “neurodevelopmental” model had better model fit than the “evolutionary stress” model, suggesting that the neurodevelopmental impact of higher levels of autistic traits could moderate a non-autistic trajectory of learning to manage uncertainty as children develop and understand that uncertainty is common and acceptable.

Download Full-text