Facial asymmetry in parents of children on the autism spectrum

Greater facial asymmetry has been consistently found in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) relative to children without ASD. There is substantial evidence that both facial structure and the recurrence of ASD diagnosis are highly heritable within a nuclear family. Furthermore, sub-clinical levels of autistic-like behavioural characteristics have also been reported in first-degree relatives of individuals with ASD, commonly known as the 'broad autism phenotype'.

Citation:
Tan DW, Gilani SZ, Boutrus M, Alvares GA, Whitehouse AJO, Mian A, et al. Facial asymmetry in parents of children on the autism spectrum. Autism Res. 2021;14(11):2260-9.

Keywords:
Autism spectrum disorder; broad autism phenotype; facial asymmetry; facial morphology; heritability; neurodevelopment

Abstract:
Greater facial asymmetry has been consistently found in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) relative to children without ASD. There is substantial evidence that both facial structure and the recurrence of ASD diagnosis are highly heritable within a nuclear family. Furthermore, sub-clinical levels of autistic-like behavioural characteristics have also been reported in first-degree relatives of individuals with ASD, commonly known as the 'broad autism phenotype'.