Assessment of socio-behavioral development disorders among siblings of children with autism

Abstract

bstract Background: The siblings of children with autism disorder spectrum (ASD) may struggle socio-behavioral development disorders; however, the issue has remained controversial. The current study aimed to assess socio-behavioral disorders among the siblings of the children with ASD. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 51 siblings of children with autism and 138 siblings of children without autism in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (Isfahan, Iran) during the years 2019-20. Social development was assessed using Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) and behavioral development using Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ); the findings were compared between the two groups. Findings: The mean age was 9.61 ± 2.28 and 8.31 ± 1.10 years in case and control groups, respectively (P = 0.087). 28 cases (54.9) and 65 controls (47.1) were boys (P = 0.140). Mean SRS score was 43.35 ± 36.84 and 29.69 ± 11.20 in case and control groups, respectively (P = 0.020). Outcomes of SDQ revealed scores of 5.93 ± 5.53 and 3.26 ± 2.57 in case and control groups, respectively (P = 0.020). Conclusion: Based on the outcomes of this study, siblings of children with autism are involved with more socio-behavioral disorders as compared to the control group. © 2021 Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.