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Updated: Jun 10, 2026
08:42
A Familiarization Protocol Facilitates the Participation of Children with ASD in Electrophysiological Research
Published on: July 31, 2017
Autism and parents' education. New data from the developing world.
Muwafak H Al-Eithan1, Sohair H Balkhi, Amal M Al-Bluwi
1Psychology Department & Research Center, Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. maleithan@humanitariancity.org.sa
Neurosciences (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
|August 3, 2010
Summary
This study explored the connection between autism and parental engineering backgrounds. While not statistically significant, findings suggest a potential association between fathers with engineering training and autism in their children.
Area of Science:
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Genetics and Behavior
Background:
- Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are complex neurodevelopmental conditions.
- Parental education and profession are explored as potential environmental factors influencing ASD risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential association between parental engineering or mathematics training and the occurrence of autism disorders.
- To compare demographic and familial data of children with autism to those with other developmental disorders.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and a control group with other developmental disorders.
- Data collected included parental and grandparental education and profession, categorized into engineering/mathematics or humanities.
- Statistical analysis, including chi-squared tests, was used to compare groups.
Main Results:
- A non-significant trend (p=0.093) indicated a possible link between fathers' engineering/mathematics training and autism.
- No significant difference in consanguinity was observed between the autism and control groups (p=0.831).
Conclusions:
- The findings in the Saudi Arabian sample show similarities to international data.
- A potential association between paternal engineering/mathematics background and autism warrants further investigation.
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