Comparison of Siblings of Individuals with Autism and Siblings of Individuals with Other Diagnoses

Brief Report: Early Social Communication Behaviors in the Younger Siblings of Children with Autism

“…Indeed, a recent meta-analysis called for more studies with siblings of typically developing children because of the relative dearth of studies with this comparison group (Yirmiya et al, 2001).…”

“…In a sample of school-aged children (4À16 years old), the siblings of children with autism were reported to have more behavior problems and fewer prosocial behaviors than children in normative samples (Hastings, 2003a, b). However, there is not unequivocal support for differences between siblings of affected children and typically developing children; a recent review attributes inconsistencies across studies to use of different comparison groups and a focus on different outcome measures with siblings of varying ages (Yirmiya, Shaked, & Erel, 2001). These researchers also determined via meta-analysis that there are insufficient data from which to conclude that siblings of children with autism are more impaired than siblings of children with other diagnoses when the outcomes are other than autism.…”

Siblings of individuals with autism spectrum disorders across the life course

“…However, there have been prior reviews on the well-being of such siblings. The most recent review on the cognitive and psychiatric outcomes of siblings of individuals with an ASD is a meta-analysis and methodological critique of 18 studies by Yirmiya et al [2001], which concluded that there is insufficient data to support the notion that siblings of children with an ASD are at increased risk for negative cognitive and psychiatric outcomes, with the exception of the increased genetic risk of ASDs (including the BAP). They note several limitations in the literature that preclude firm conclusions: the relatively small number of studies that are comparable to one another; the small samples studied, which makes it difficult to observe recurrence if rates are low; and the lack of comparison groups that also have genetic liabilities such as siblings of individuals with learning disabilities or psychiatric disorders.…”

Matching Procedures in Autism Research: Evidence from Meta-Analytic Studies

“…In the first, we examined all studies in which siblings of children with autism were compared with siblings of typically developing children and with siblings of children with diagnoses other than autism (Yirmiya, Shaked, & Erel, 2001). In the second meta-analysis, we examined various outcomes in the realm of psychiatric difficulties among parents of individuals with autism as compared to parents of typically developing individuals and of individuals with other diagnoses (Yirmiya & Shaked, in press).…”

“…Likewise, when taking into account the possibility of environmental effects, the position of the siblings in comparison to the sibling with autism or to the sibling with disorders other than autism should also be considered. Currently, the majority of studies conducted with siblings of children with autism include samples of heterogeneous ages and birth order in the family (Yirmiya, Shaked, & Erel, 2001) in which specific questions regarding the developmental trajectories of siblings remain unanswered. 1995), and therefore a comparison of family members of individuals with autism and those of individuals with learning disabilities may help in the search for a specific genetic phenotype revealed in families of persons with autism, a phenotype that differs from that associated with learning disabilities.…”