Abstract
It is well-known that families of children with autism experience a challenging journey.
Yet, it is unknown to what extent the milder autism traits are associated with children’s
academic achievement or with parental behavior and whether certain characteristics
have a better predictive value for child autistic traits. Therefore, in this thesis, we
investigated possible predictors and correlates of autism traits in children.
All studies in this thesis made use of data collected in The Generation R Study, a
population-based prospective cohort from fetal life onwards in Rotterdam, the
Netherlands. This cohort was designed to study early environmental and genetic
determinants of growth, development and health during fetal and postnatal life. During
routine visits, obstetricians or midwifes invited pregnant women (expected delivery
date April 2002 - January 2006) living in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, to participate in
the study. In total, 9,778 mothers were enrolled in the study, reflecting a response rate
of 61% (Kooijman et al., 2017). From all participants and their parents, we obtained
written informed consent. The Medical Ethical Committee of the Erasmus MC,
University Medical Center Rotterdam approved the study. Measurements were s in
early-, mid-, and late pregnancy. After birth, parents reported repeatedly on different aspects of child development by postal questionnaire and when children were aged
6 and 10 years, mothers and children visited the research center where a range of
behavioral and physical examinations took place.
Yet, it is unknown to what extent the milder autism traits are associated with children’s
academic achievement or with parental behavior and whether certain characteristics
have a better predictive value for child autistic traits. Therefore, in this thesis, we
investigated possible predictors and correlates of autism traits in children.
All studies in this thesis made use of data collected in The Generation R Study, a
population-based prospective cohort from fetal life onwards in Rotterdam, the
Netherlands. This cohort was designed to study early environmental and genetic
determinants of growth, development and health during fetal and postnatal life. During
routine visits, obstetricians or midwifes invited pregnant women (expected delivery
date April 2002 - January 2006) living in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, to participate in
the study. In total, 9,778 mothers were enrolled in the study, reflecting a response rate
of 61% (Kooijman et al., 2017). From all participants and their parents, we obtained
written informed consent. The Medical Ethical Committee of the Erasmus MC,
University Medical Center Rotterdam approved the study. Measurements were s in
early-, mid-, and late pregnancy. After birth, parents reported repeatedly on different aspects of child development by postal questionnaire and when children were aged
6 and 10 years, mothers and children visited the research center where a range of
behavioral and physical examinations took place.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Awarding Institution |
|
| Supervisors/Advisors |
|
| Award date | 29 Sept 2022 |
| Place of Publication | Rotterdam |
| Print ISBNs | 978-94-6423-976-8 |
| Publication status | Published - 29 Sept 2022 |