Exploding Autism

Communication Communication impairments impairments

Social Social impairmentsimpairments

Restricted/ Repetitive Restricted/ Repetitive Behaviours & Behaviours &

InterestsInterests

Twin studies suggest:- 3 traits correlate ≈ 0.3-0.5- genes only partly overlap- isolated deficits common

Monolith or Composite?

Happé, Ronald & Plomin, 2006 Nature Reviews Neuroscience

Autism: No single neurocognitive explanation

Communication Communication impairments impairments

Social Social impairmentsimpairments

Restricted/ Repetitive Restricted/ Repetitive Behaviours & Behaviours &

InterestsInterests

Problems recognising mental states

Problems generating, planning, monitoring

“Theory of mind”

“Executive functions”

Detail-focused cognitive style

“weak coherence”

Implications of fractionated triad

0.6%

• Abandon search for G/E predisposing to ‘autism’

• Look for contributors to parts of triad

• No single factor (genetic, neural, cognitive) specific to ASD

• Overlap with other diagnoses predicted

• Heterogeneity expected at every level

• Single deficits common (10% TEDS); dx, needs?