Assessment of psychosocial features and quality of life of typically developing siblings of children who diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder

Objective: The aim of this study is to compare typically developing siblings of children, who were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with typically developing children matched by sociodemographic characteristics, in terms of psychosocial features and quality of life. Methods: Forty-one typically developing siblings of 41 cases who diagnosed autistic disorder, Asperger disorder and pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified according to DSM IV-TR and 43 controls of typically developing controls, who has no history of any psychiatric disorder in their family, were included. Psychiatric diagnostic interview were applied to all children who admitted to the study. Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and Pediatric Quality of Life Questionnaire were applied to case and control groups. Childhood Autism Rating Scale andPediatric Quality of Life Questionnaire-parent form and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire-parent form were applied to parent of case and control groups. Results: The physical health total scores, emotional functioning scores, psychosocial health total scores and total scores of Pediatric Quality of Life Questionnaire and prosocial subscale scores of Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire were significantly lower in case group. Conclusion: It can be considered that even typically developing siblings of children who diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder have no psychiatric diagnosis according to international diagnostic criteria, these children have negative self-evaluation in physical and social areas and their parents are not enough to be aware of difficulties that these children experienced