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Temperament and its Association with Autism Symptoms in a High-risk Population

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Abstract

Temperament was investigated in a group of high-risk infants (N = 383; 45 % girls) who had an older sibling with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and in community control infants (N = 162; 46 % girls) with no family history of ASD (low-risk). The infants were assessed at age 12 months using the Infant Behavior Questionnaire, and at 24 months using the Toddler Behavior Assessment Questionnaire. At 36 months, an independent blind diagnostic assessment for ASD was conducted using the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). The results indicate not only differences in temperament traits between the high- and low-risk groups, but also differences in the structure of higher-order temperament factors. The results support the importance of early reactive temperament in the development of Effortful Control in the high-risk sample. Furthermore, Effortful Control at 24 months appears to play a critical role in predicting later ASD symptoms (at 36 months). Taken together, these findings support the use of early temperament as an endophenotype for ASD.

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This research was supported in part by grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Autism Speaks Canada, and NeuroDevNet. Dr. Zwaigenbaum was supported by the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation Chair in Autism Research. Drs. Bryson and Smith were supported by the Joan and Jack Craig Chair in Autism Research, Dr. Szatmari was supported by the Chedoke Health Chair in Child Psychiatry, and Dr. Vaillancourt was supported by a Canada Research Chair in Children’s Mental Health and Violence Protection. We also like to thank the children and families who have participated in this project.

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The authors have no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychology Department, Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick, E4L 1C7, Canada

    Nancy Garon

  2. Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    Lonnie Zwaigenbaum & Lori-Ann R. Sacrey

  3. Autism Research Centre, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    Lonnie Zwaigenbaum

  4. Dalhousie University/IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

    Susan Bryson, Isabel M. Smith & Vickie Armstrong

  5. Bloorview Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Jessica Brian

  6. University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Jessica Brian & Wendy Roberts

  7. Kinark Child and Family Services, Markham, Ontario, Canada

    Caroline Roncadin

  8. University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

    Tracy Vaillancourt

  9. The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Wendy Roberts

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  1. Nancy Garon
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  2. Lonnie Zwaigenbaum
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  10. Wendy Roberts
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Correspondence to Nancy Garon.

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Garon, N., Zwaigenbaum, L., Bryson, S. et al. Temperament and its Association with Autism Symptoms in a High-risk Population. J Abnorm Child Psychol 44, 757–769 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-015-0064-1

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