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Birth Order and Family Size Effects on Time to Treatment as well as Presenting Social and Communicative Symptoms of Autism

Vincent, Pamela Evelyn

Abstract Details

2009, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Human Development and Family Science.
Although there is growing concern regarding the etiology and effects of autism spectrum disorders, there is still much that is not known about these developmental conditions. In examining the causes or factors influencing autism and other related disorders, it is necessary to look not only at what is held as common belief, but to expand upon those theories and provide a more thorough analysis of specific facets of autism; in this case, the role of specific environmental factors. This study provides another look into the familial factors that may play a role in the development of a condition which has its roots in genetic etiology. While the idea of a gene-environment effect has become a more commonly held theory regarding autism, there is very little evidence examining specific environmental risk factors, such as vaccinations, restrictive diets, toxins, or family-related factors. The goal of this study was to correlate birth order and family size variables with diagnosis and presenting symptoms of autism in children from the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE) database. A small, but significant, relationship was found between some of the variables used to measure autism-related symptoms and the child’s birth order or family size. Specifically, measures from the ADI-R regarding age (in months) of speech and communicative markers as well as social play and interaction were found to be significantly predicted by both birth order and number of siblings in the family. Additionally, a measure on the Vineland Scales of Adaptive Behavior regarding overall communicative level was found to be significantly predicted by birth order and number of siblings. In further support of these findings, a significant correlation was found between many of the same ADI-R and Vineland Scales measures and birth order and number of siblings. The common non-significant findings related to birth order and sibling number were measures of a loss of language or skill after having that particular skill for 3 or more months. The results of this small study provide evidence for the necessity of future research on these or other environmental factors present in the lives of typically and atypically developing children.
Steven A. Petrill (Advisor)
Sarah Schoppe-Sullivan (Committee Member)

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Vincent, P. E. (2009). Birth Order and Family Size Effects on Time to Treatment as well as Presenting Social and Communicative Symptoms of Autism [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1251682101

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Vincent, Pamela. Birth Order and Family Size Effects on Time to Treatment as well as Presenting Social and Communicative Symptoms of Autism. 2009. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1251682101.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Vincent, Pamela. "Birth Order and Family Size Effects on Time to Treatment as well as Presenting Social and Communicative Symptoms of Autism." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1251682101

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)