Premigration social adversity and autism spectrum disorder

Area of Science:

• Neurodevelopmental disorders
• Migration studies
• Social epidemiology

Background:

• Existing research shows mixed findings on the link between migration and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
• Previous studies lacked pathological control groups, questioning the specificity of observed associations with ASD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare migration experiences in children with ASD versus a pathological control group.
• To investigate the relationship between migration factors and autism severity.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire assessed migrant status and Human Development Index (HDI)/Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI) of native countries in families of children with ASD and controls.
• Autism severity was measured using standardized scales.

Main Results:

• No difference in migrant status frequency between ASD and control groups.
• Lower HDI/IHDI values were found for parents and grandparents of children with ASD, particularly paternal grandparents.
• Lower HDI/IHDI in the paternal line correlated negatively with autism severity, especially social impairments.

Conclusions:

• Parental/grandparental migrant status alone does not distinguish ASD from controls or predict autism severity.
• Social adversity and stress in native countries, indicated by lower HDI/IHDI, may contribute to ASD development.
• A 'premigration theory of autism' is proposed, highlighting potential impacts of early life adversity.