Autistic individuals are frequently wrongly labelled as narcissists, but the truth is that we just communicate differently (double empathy), which can result in misunderstandings. In this video, I highlight common autistic conversational traits that neurotypicals may misinterpret as narcissistic traits. I also explore the concept of conversational narcissism.
A study conducted by top researchers, including those from the Kennedy Krieger Institute, has revealed that one in five children (20%) with an older sibling diagnosed with autism are also likely to be diagnosed with the disorder. The data shows that when a child has more than one older sibling with autism, the family recurrence rate rises to over 36%.
This study analyzed data from 1,605 infants who had an older sibling with autism. The infants were evaluated multiple times from 6 months to 36 months. The research, conducted by organizations such as the Baby Siblings Research Consortium and the Kennedy Krieger Institute, found that the risk of autism recurrence is seven times higher in families with an autistic child compared to the general population. This result is consistent with previous research, but the investigators noted that this new study employed more comprehensive reporting methods.
Dr. Rebecca Landa, PhD, CCC-SLP, serves as the Vice President and Executive Director for the Center for Autism Services, Science, and Innovation (CASSI) at Kennedy Krieger. She was involved in this research and says the findings demonstrate the importance of additional developmental monitoring for babies born into families with autistic children.
“Pediatricians and family members need to diligently monitor infants born into families with a diagnosed autistic child,” Dr. Landa emphasized. “Early referral for diagnostic evaluation is crucial to ensure support, resources, and intervention.”
The research discovered that the gender of a child has a significant impact on the likelihood of autism recurrence. It was found that younger siblings of female autistic children had a greater tendency to develop autism (34.7%) compared to siblings of males (22.5%). Moreover, male younger siblings were also more likely to be autistic than their female counterparts.
Additionally, the study found that the recurrence of autism in white families was 17.8%, while it increased to 25% across other races combined.
“The scale and diversity of this group of infants, compared to our previous recurrence rate study published over a decade ago, provides strong evidence that these recurrence rates are reliable,” said Dr. Landa. “We need to update recurrence studies like these due to the population increase in autism prevalence over the years. We know so much more now in 2024 than we did in 2011.”
The study found that maternal education has a significant effect on autism recurrence rates. Mothers with a high school education or less had a higher recurrence rate of 32.6%, which decreased for mothers with a college or graduate degree. This effect was only significant for mothers and not for fathers.
Researchers say the prevalence of autism has risen to 1 in 36 children over the last decade. They attribute this increase to improved awareness of autistic females and cognitively able/verbal children rather than a true rise in autism rates.
Dr. Landa points out that the study’s findings show how race, sex, education, and access to healthcare can affect the timing of diagnoses and support. She stresses the importance of making better efforts to address disparities as we gain more knowledge about autism.
“It’s essential to ensure that families facing social inequities have access to resources, education, and providers,” said Dr. Landa. “Every child with autism and their family deserves this support.”
Monotropism is a person’s tendency to focus their attention on a small number of interests at any time, often leading them to overlook things outside of this narrowed focus. This cognitive strategy has been suggested as a central underlying feature of autism. Dinah Murray, Wenn Lawson, and Mike Lesser developed the theory of monotropism in the 1990s and first published it in 2005.
A recent study uncovered concerning results about the psychological effects of terrorism on autistic children and their parents in the aftermath of Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7th, 2023. Within 30 days of the attack, both autistic and non-autistic children displayed significant symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Autistic children exhibited a more pronounced response, and their parents experienced higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. This emphasizes the pressing need for specialized mental health services for these families. These initial findings underline the critical necessity for immediate and ongoing mental health support for all children and parents affected by the conflict.
In the first-ever study of autistic children and their parents in the context of war, Dr. Judah Koller from the Seymour Fox School of Education at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and his team, led by doctoral student Shir Rozenblat, found alarming preliminary findings on the impact of terrorism and war on this population. The study, which focuses on the psychological aftermath of Hamas’ October 7th, 2023 attack on Israel, underscores the urgent need for tailored support services for autistic children and their families during times of conflict.
Within 30 days of the attack, both autistic and non-autistic Israeli children displayed significant post-traumatic stress symptoms. Autistic children showed more severe symptoms, indicating their increased vulnerability. Parents of autistic children also reported higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress compared to parents of non-autistic children. These levels were 2-4 times higher than those reported by a separate group of parents of autistic children assessed before the war in a study conducted by the Azrieli National Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopment Research at Ben Gurion University.
“Autistic children’s dependence on routine and predictability is significantly disrupted during terrorist attacks and warfare, which appears to heighten their stress responses,” said Dr. Koller. “Parenting a child during wartime is a universal challenge, but our findings indicate that autistic children and their parents need targeted mental health support that considers their unique characteristics.”
The study used online questionnaires filled out by caregivers to quickly and efficiently collect data from a large and diverse population. The researchers recognize that the findings may not be widely applicable due to the limited sample size and specific characteristics of the participants. However, they highlight the significance of these initial results as an essential first stage in a year-long longitudinal study.
The research team has finished gathering data for a comprehensive study that uses a variety of methods and includes a broader range of both autistic and non-autistic children, as well as their parents. The study, done in collaboration with Dr. Yonat Rum from the School of Education, involves detailed examinations of parental post-traumatic stress and resilience, as well as qualitative data on families’ experiences. Dr. Koller explained, “Our aim is to gain a thorough understanding of the ongoing impact of war on these vulnerable groups and to advocate for the necessary support services.”
These findings emphasize the urgent and ongoing need for mental health support for children and parents impacted by the conflict. The study urges policymakers and healthcare providers to prioritize the unique needs of autistic children and their families, not just in Israel but in conflict-affected areas around the globe. This project is a joint effort involving ALUT, the Israeli Society for Autistic Children and Adults, Bar-Ilan University, and Ben-Gurion University.
