A twin study investigating the genetic and environmental aetiologies of parent, teacher and child ratings of autistic-like traits and their overlap

Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2008 Dec;17(8):473-83. doi: 10.1007/s00787-008-0689-5. Epub 2008 Apr 21.

Abstract

In the present study we investigated phenotypic agreement between informants (parent, teacher and child self-report) on ratings of autistic-like traits and compared the genetic and environmental aetiologies of the informants' ratings and of their covariance. Parents and teachers of >2,500 pairs from a community twin sample completed an abbreviated Childhood Asperger Syndrome Test (CAST). The twins also completed an adapted self-report version of the CAST. Structural equation model-fitting was carried out. Correlations between raters were significant but moderate (0.16-0.33). The magnitude of heritability estimates of autistic-like traits varied across raters, being highest for parent-rated autistic-like traits (82-87%) and more modest for child self-reported autistic-like traits (36-47%). Genetic overlap was significant but moderate across all raters. These findings are discussed in relation to population screening for autism and future genetic research.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Twin Study

MeSH terms

  • Asperger Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Asperger Syndrome / etiology*
  • Asperger Syndrome / genetics
  • Autistic Disorder / diagnosis*
  • Autistic Disorder / etiology*
  • Autistic Disorder / genetics
  • Child
  • Diseases in Twins / diagnosis
  • Diseases in Twins / etiology
  • Diseases in Twins / genetics
  • Faculty
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Parents
  • Phenotype
  • Psychometrics
  • Reproducibility of Results*
  • Self-Assessment
  • Sex Distribution
  • Twins / genetics*
  • Twins / psychology
  • United Kingdom