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Cited by 498Autism Spectrum Disorder ResearchGenetics and Neurodevelopmental DisordersChild and Animal Learning Development

The ‘Fractionable Autism Triad’: A Review of Evidence from Behavioural, Genetic, Cognitive and Neural Research

Happé, Francesca, Ronald, Angelica·2008·Neuropsychology Review
DOI 10.1007/s11065-008-9076-8
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Abstract

Autism is diagnosed on the basis of a triad of impairments in social interaction, communication, and flexible imaginative functions (with restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests; RRBIs). There has been a strong presumption that these different features of the syndrome are strongly intertwined and proceed from a common cause at the genetic, cognitive and neural levels. In this review we examine evidence for an alternative approach, considering the triad as largely 'fractionable'. We present evidence from our own twin studies, and review relevant literature on autism and autistic-like traits in other groups. We suggest that largely independent genes may operate on social skills/impairments, communication abilities, and RRBIs, requiring a change in molecular-genetic research approaches. At the cognitive level, we suggest that satisfactory accounts exist for each of the triad domains, but no single unitary account can explain both social and nonsocial features of autism. We discuss the implications of the fractionable-triad approach for both diagnosis and future research directions.

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Crossref · 10.1007/s11065-008-9076-8

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159 of 159 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Ronald and colleagues found that parent-reported social and nonsocial autism traits correlated only modestly in children in the general population, and even in subgroups with high traits and/or autism spectrum diagnoses.

    “They found that parent-reported social and nonsocial autism traits correlated only modestly in children in the general population, and even in subgroups with high traits and/or autism spectrum diagnoses”

    From Annual Research Review: Looking back to look forward – changes in the concept of autism and implications for future research (2020) · cites this paper as Happé & Ronald, 2008

  • Using twin modelling, Ronald and colleagues showed distinct genetic influences on different autism symptom domains, in the general population and amongst high trait/diagnosed autism samples.

    “Using twin modelling, Ronald and colleagues were also able to show distinct genetic influences on different autism symptom domains, in the general population and amongst high trait/diagnosed autism samples (reviewed in Happé & Ronald, 2008).”

    From Annual Research Review: Looking back to look forward – changes in the concept of autism and implications for future research (2020) · cites this paper as Happé & Ronald, 2008

  • At the cognitive level, it has been suggested that autism may be characterised by a compound of deficits/differences, and attempts to find a unitary psychological explanation for social and nonsocial behavioural features have largely failed.

    “At the cognitive level, too, it has been suggested that autism may be characterised by a compound of deficits/differences (e.g., impaired ToM, executive dysfunction, detail-focused processing bias), and that attempts to find a unitary psychological explanation for social and nonsocial behavioural features have largely failed (Happé & Ronald, 2008; Brunsdon et al, 2015).”

    From Annual Research Review: Looking back to look forward – changes in the concept of autism and implications for future research (2020) · cites this paper as Happé & Ronald, 2008

  • The lack of significant change is perhaps not surprising given the small sample size and the variability in participants' baseline scores, as might be expected from a heterogeneous autistic population.

    “This is perhaps not surprising given the small sample size and the variability in participants' baseline scores, as might be expected from a heterogeneous autistic population (Happé & Ronald, 2008).”

    From The design and implementation of a CBT-based intervention for sensory processing difficulties in adolescents on the autism spectrum (2016) · cites this paper as Happé & Ronald, 2008

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Authors
Happé, F., & Ronald, A.
Affiliations
Birkbeck, University of London (GB)
ORCID
Ronald, Angelica
Venue
Neuropsychology Review
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2008-10-28
Volume
18
Issue
4
Pages
287-304
ISSN
  • 1040-7308 (ISSN-L)
  • 1573-6660
DOI
10.1007/s11065-008-9076-8
OpenAlex
W2078162851
Cited by
498
References
161
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 25 · 2022: 23 · 2021: 31 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 24 · 2018: 31 · 2017: 26 · 2016: 30 · 2015: 33 · 2014: 46 · 2013: 51 · 2012: 34
FWCI
2.20
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations
  • Neuropsychology Review (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • BIROn (Birkbeck, University of London) (submittedVersion)
  • Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion)
Funders
Autism Speaks (AS1650)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Child and Animal Learning Development
Keywords
autism spectrum disorder, social interaction deficits, communication disorders, restricted and repetitive behaviors, autistic traits, twin studies, genetic architecture, autism diagnosis
MeSH terms
Autistic Disorder, Behavior, Communication, Compulsive Behavior, Family Health, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Nervous System, Biomedical Research

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