The heterogeneity of autism spectrum disorder: An examination of child outcomes and parenting behaviors

Abstract

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogenous neurodevelopmental disorder with defining characteristics of social communication/interaction challenges and restrictive, repetitive behaviors Many autistic children have difficulties with emotion regulation, which may lead to negative physiological and behavioral outcomes. Parenting behaviors may influence autistic children’s emotion and behavior difficulties, which then may impact parenting behaviors in the future. Examining these processes may provide better insight into interventions that may benefit autistic children and their parents. Further, these associations may be moderated by the heterogenous presentation of ASD symptoms and IQ. Method: Families (mother, father, and child) with an autistic child between the ages of 10 to 17 years were recruited to participate in a larger study. Participants completed a set of questionnaires at two time points six months apart. Child respiratory sinus arrythmia was also collected. Results: Latent profile analysis indicated a three-profile solution: 1) Average IQ-Moderate SA-Low RRB, 2) Average IQ-Moderate SA-Moderate RRB, and 3) Borderline IQ-High SA-High SA. Profile 3 had the lowest anxiety levels compared to Profile 1 and 3. Moderated regression analysis indicated at high levels maternal warmth, autistic children in Profile 1 had lower depressive symptoms. At high levels of depressive symptoms, maternal and paternal warmth was lower for autistic children in Profile 3. Discussion: Using latent profile analysis to determine if there were underlying subgroups in the population using IQ and ASD symptom severity as indicator variables, a three-profile solution was selected. Two of the profiles had average IQ with low to moderate symptom severity. The third profile had borderline average with higher ASD symptom severity. Results are consistent with prior research indicating the need to examine subgroups within ASD research. Child Effects and Parenting Effects models were partially supportive of a bidirectional relationship between parenting behaviors and child effect. More research is needed examining additional positive parenting behaviors.