Broader autism phenotype

Common card · No. 406252

The broader autism phenotype (BAP) is an informal classification that covers people who have some traits similar to autism, but who do not meet the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder. It falls in between typical behaviors and autism itself. This informal label is mainly used to describe the family members of formally diagnosed autistic people and who show some autistic characteristics, rather than people in the general population with the same characteristics. These family members often have subtler differences and difficulties in social communication and social-emotional abilities. They may have some restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs), obsessional behaviors, or behavioral rigidity. BAP can be considered a subclinical form of autism; however, following broadening definitions of autism, some people who were once considered to have a broader autism phenotype may be eligible for a diagnosis of autism. People exhibiting the broader autism phenotype are sometimes described...

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