| Summary: | This project examines individual differences in temperament among children with autism spectrum disorder. Although temperament has been studied considerably in typically developing populations, research on temperamental differences within atypical populations is limited. Children with autism spectrum disorder are considered a highly heterogeneous group. Little is known about the temperamental differences that distinguish children with autism from typical peers, or about temperamental differences within the diagnostic classification itself. Using a two-study model, the present project explores the temperament of children with autism as compared to typically developing peers, as well as variation in temperament within the autism phenotype. Study 1 uses a national dataset to explore differences between children with autism and typically developing controls across temperament domains. Results revealed significant differences across 10 of the 15 measured temperament factors. Scores fell within a broader range of values for children on the autism spectrum despite relative intellectual homogeneity within the autism sample (i.e., primarily children with low cognitive scores). Findings suggest considerably more variation within the ASD phenotype than among typically developing children. Results were most notable for the Effortful Control domain; significant differences were observed for all four of the tested factors within this domain. Based on these results, Study 2 focused on examination of differences in Effortful Control within the autism phenotype. This study featured an in-depth, exploratory analysis of 15 children with autism, focusing on observed manifestations of Effortful Control in natural play. Results revealed considerable variation within the autism phenotype, with trends linked to developmental age equivalents. The present project adds to the scientific understanding of autism phenotype, with implications for distinguishing diagnostic subcategories, prediction of outcomes, and efficacy of potential treatments.
|
|---|
